Aston Villa reopened the Womenβs Super League after the festive break with a home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.
Villa set out with a strengthened squad; new recruits Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth made their full debuts as Alisha Lehmann moved to the bench. Rachel Corsie was absent – a worry for fans – so Dan Turner wore the armband for this match. Anna Leat took the goalkeeping spot, as the fight for the shirt continues between herself and Hannah Hampton.
Tottenham introduced record signing Beth England to their side, but were missing their creative and defensive force Ash Neville, who was suspended due to a red card against Everton before the break.
The home side started the match on top and controlled the game for the opening period, keeping Spurs in their own half. Nobbs almost opened her Villa account after 30 seconds; she connected well with a low cross from Kirsty Hanson on the left wing, but her shot was saved in the centre of the goal. Daly also had a chance after 7 minutes with a looping header, but again Korpela was able to make the save.
A foul on Rachel Daly brought a yellow card and a change for the visitors, as Amy Turner came off worse from her own challenge. Rehanne Skinner was forced to make an early substitution, and Kerys Harrop was brought on for Turner.
Just before the half hour mark, Tottenham scored with their first attack of the game. Harropβs cross from the left wing fell to an unmarked Beth England, who could make the simple tap in from inside the six yard box.
Undeterred by the setback, Villa were quick to respond. Only 6 minutes later, Kenza Dali finished off a lovely team move with a cool finish from outside the box, beating Korpela and hitting the bottom left corner. Dali was pivotal in the build up to the goal, using Maz Pacheco and Jordan Nobbs to move the ball up the pitch before taking the ball off Hanson to secure the equaliser.
The comeback did not end there and less than 5 minutes later the game was completely turned on its head. Kirsty Hanson bagged her second assist of the afternoon; this time, her cross was met by Rachel Daly who lifted the ball over the keeper to put Villa in front.
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The second half looked more promising for Spurs, who made two attacking changes at half-time. Bizet looked lively with a run down the left, but Sarah Mayling was able to cut out her cross into Rosella Ayane. Drew Spence also had an opportunity to score, but the shot did not trouble Anna Leat and was saved from reaching the bottom corner.
A late chance for Villa was created when substitute Alisha Lehmann won back the ball in the attacking half, which has become a strong part of her game in recent fixtures. The ball went through Daly and back to Lucy Staniforth, who spotted the run of Lehmann and sent her a long ball over the top. Lehmann pulled it back for Daly who forced Korpela into another save, this time tipping the ball onto the roof of the net.
Spurs were awarded a free-kick in injury time, but fortunately for Villa Harrop was unable to make the most of Summanenβs ball in and Anna Leat made another comfortable save.
Villa opened 2023 with a winand some strong performances from the two debutants, Nobbs and Staniforth. Dali and Daly overcame Englandβs opener, with Kirsty Hanson claiming two assists. The team rise to 6th in the table, level on points with West Ham, with Manchester City away next up.
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AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER
Authorβs UTV PODCAST archive Georgia Homer
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Villa Bellas is the Official AVFC Womenβs Network. In an unequal and often unrelenting world we work to break down barriers for equality.
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