Aston Villa were back to league action this weekend with a home game against Brighton, who started the match second from bottom in the WSL.
The visitors came to the Bescot Stadium with the aim of widening the gap between themselves and Leicester, who picked up their first points of the season against Brighton last month.ย
Dan Turner returned to the side for Villa, now fully recovered from her concussion. Jordan Nobbs was also back in the squad, and Hannah Hampton kept her place in goal in the absence of Anna Leat.
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Villa looked in control starting the first half, maintaining possession, and keeping Brighton pushed back into their own half. In the 13th minute, Lucy Staniforth tried her luck from range, but the effort was sent high and wide of the target. Minutes later, Hanson sent the ball across the face of goal, just inches away from Rachel Dalyโs reach – a frustratingly good chance to get ahead early on.
The chances kept coming for Villa and it was Daliโs turn next; the midfielder took over from Sarah Mayling just outside of the box and struck the ball firmly but straight at Megan Walsh in goal. Jordan Nobbs created another opportunity for Daly after 20 minutes, but much like her earlier chance the striker was unable to fully connect with it. A few minutes later, Alisha Lehmann forced another save from Walsh, taking on a shot from the edge of the box. The resulting corner was also caught easily by the Brighton keeper, stopping Anna Pattenโs close-range header.
Approaching the half hour mark, Pacheco sent Hanson away down the left wing, and the forward made a solo run all the way into the box before Walsh came out to claim the ball from her feet. Pacheco was then needed for her defensive qualities and made a brilliant sliding tackle in the box to stop Kayleigh Greenโs attack.
After so many opportunities to score, Aston Villa were put ahead by a defensive error. Brightonโs plan to stifle Rachel Daly gifted us a free-kick after around 30 minutes. Dali sent the ball in and across to the right of the box, which was defended for a corner. Dali then took the corner short, allowing Sarah Mayling to launch the ball into the crowd and cause disruption for the Brighton players in the box. Walsh missed the catch and the ball came off Green last before falling into the net.
Villa stayed on top following the opener and up until the break. Daly almost became provider with a cross into Hanson that was narrowly ahead of her, and Kenza Dali had another shot saved by the fingertips of Walsh.
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The best chance of the second half fell to Rachel Daly. Dali played the ball out wide to Hanson, who brought it back for Daly inside the six yard box. She took the shot first time, and uncharacteristically sent it over the bar.
Brighton looked better in the second 45. Jorja Fox, the teenager on loan from Chelsea, drove into the box on 66 minutes but her run was well defended by the team. Hannah Hampton then made a save from a free-kick that Sarri headed back towards goal from the far post.
Carla Ward hoped to see the game out with fresh legs, replacing Lehmann and Nobbs with Gielnik and Blindkilde. Rachel Corsie also came on for Maz Pacheco, so Dan Turner moved to left back.
The plan did not work on this occasion and Brighton equalised in the 77th minute. Laura Blindkilde was unable to keep hold of the ball in her own half, inviting the initial shot for Hampton to save. The rebound was controlled and scored by Zigiotti.
The game ended with the points shared, but it felt like a missed opportunity for Villa against a team that have struggled for form this season. Our next fixture is the reverse, postponed match against Brighton at the Broadfield Stadium, where we will hope to return home with all three points.ย
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AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER
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