WSL FAN REPORT | ASTON VILLA 0-1 EVERTON | RAINBOW LACES

Carla Ward named an unchanged side to face Everton as Aston Villa looked to recover from their first defeat of the season last weekend.

Despite that result, Villa started the day in 4th position. A win against Everton would put the club back on track in the league, before we face them again in the Conti Cup on Wednesday.

Kenza Dali and Dan Turner faced their old teammates for the first time and Alisha Lehmann kept her place despite some friction following the penalty miss against West Ham. Anna Leat made her second WSL appearance for the club, as regular goalkeeper Hannah Hampton is yet to return from injury.

Level on points, the two teams were equally matched throughout the game. Villa looked more threatening, with the better chances falling to the home side in the opening ten minutes. Kenza Dali worked hard through the middle of the park, playing a ball out wide to Manchester United loanee Kirsty Hanson. Hanson set up Laura Blindkilde for a shot from the middle of the box but the youngster was off target. 

Fresh from signing her first professional contract, Blindkilde looked more confident in front of goal but her second chance was offside. Last weekend she looked somewhat reluctant to take on a shot, but with the current rate of her progression her first goal for the club is surely coming soon.

Alisha Lehmann also looked more involved this week, providing chances from the wing. Lehmann’s crosses found both Daly and Dali in the opening half, but the attackers’ shots were saved or blocked. Kirsty Hanson also made a couple of attempts, but the Villans went into halftime level.

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The second half opened in a similar fashion, Rachel Daly and Alisha Lehmann both had opportunities at around the 50 minute mark. Daly was uncharacteristically off target and Lehmann’s attempt was blocked. 

Despite Villa’s efforts, Everton broke the deadlock just before the hour mark. Lucy Graham was well positioned at the back post to meet a cross with a tap in, assisted by Gabrielle George. 

Following the goal, the rhythm of play was frequently disrupted by fouls by both sides but neither were able to capitalise from the free-kicks. 

Chasing the game, Ward introduced Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Tash Harding and Freya Gregory in the hope of finding an equaliser. The chances kept coming, but nothing to seriously trouble Courtney Brosnan in goal. Everton were able to successfully run down the clock, while Villa struggled to find cutting edge in front of goal. 

Rachel Daly’s afternoon came to an end when she was forced off the pitch in the 92nd minute due to a collision with Brosnan. She made way for Isobel Goodwin, who made her WSL debut for the club.

It was another frustrating afternoon for Aston Villa, as the players offered energy and creativity but were unable to convert their chances. Everton held onto their one goal lead and took all three points, leapfrogging Villa into fourth position. Villa fall into sixth, with the opportunity for revenge against the same opponents in the Cup on Wednesday. 

AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER

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Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Georgia Homer

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