Following a short international break, Aston Villa returned to Villa Park to face Reading in the WSL. Before the break, Carla Ward and Aston Villa put an end to the run of losses with a win over Liverpool. Since then, Rachel Daly has played twice for the Lionesses and scored in both games, continuing her excellent form for both club and country.Β
Reading have finished above Aston Villa in both seasons since our promotion but are struggling to achieve results this year. The team entered this game in 11th place, having just one win on the board, which came against bottom place Leicester City. Villaβs season has been more mixed, with the most recent win pushing them into sixth position.Β
Once again, Ward started with her trusted line up and formation, with Rachel Corsie continuing to captain the side in Remi Allenβs absence.
The first big chance of the game came in the second minute. It was created by Rachel Daly from the left wing who pulled the ball back to set up Kenza Dali, but the shot lacked power and missed narrowly to the left.
It was Reading who scored first. A free kick was delivered towards the far post, which was headed back in for Lauren Wade to score from close range.
Villa were a goal down after 7 minutes and the scoreline encouraged the visitors. Reading had a period of good play, but the result was a weak effort from Caldwell that Anna Leat was able to collect comfortably.
Around 20 minutes in, momentum began to swing as Villa searched for the equaliser. Blindkilde was at the heart of the attacks; her first chance was deflected wide to win a corner. Soon after, she provided a ball over the top to send Lehmann away; the winger was chased down by two defenders, yet she managed to find Daly to her right, who tried to make the chance work from a difficult angle but could not find the target.
Villa kept the pressure on. Sarah Mayling crossed a ball in from the right for Rachel Daly to meet but the defender did just enough to send it wide. At around 35 minutes, Villa won a free kick for Kenza Dali to take. The long-distance effort was punched away by the goalkeeper but only as far as Maz Pacheco. The full-back sent a diagonal ball out wide to Rachel Corsie, who delivered the perfect looping cross for Daly to head into the far right of the net.Β
The equaliser caused the game to become more end-to-end. Lehmann almost allowed Daly to double her tally, but the square ball was well defended again. Natasha Dowie also came close on the counter for Reading but caught by Leat. The opposition had two shots in succession saved by Anna Leat, but neither of them dangerous.
Moments before halftime, the game was turned on its head by Rachel Daly. Kenza Daliβs corner was headed in by the striker at the near post, possibly taking a touch from a defender, putting Villa ahead going into the break.
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Kirsty Hansonβs efforts are yet to be rewarded with a goal in the WSL, but she worked well with both full-backs in and around the box. Mayling provided a ball-in for a header, but the loanee was unable to properly direct it towards goal. Hanson later created a chance for Daly after overlapping with Macheco on the left wing, which almost worked but was too close to the keeper.
Reading had less control in the second half, but had an opportunity at 54 minutes in. Anna Leat confidently came out to stop the danger, and sweep the ball from underneath the attackerβs feet.
At the other end, Dali sent Hanson through on goal in the 66th minute; the forward committed to the chance and was met with a tough challenge from keeper Jackie Burns. The foul was slightly outside the penalty area, but Burns still faced punishment with a straight red card. Hanson limped off the field and was replaced by Freya Gregory, whilst Reading were forced to take off Tia Primmer for their substitute goalkeeper, Grace Moloney. Dan Turner took the free kick but her attempt was high above the target.Β
The points were all but confirmed when Daly won herself a penalty in the 75th minute, which was taken confidently to complete her hattrick and place her level with Manchester Cityβs Bunny Shaw as joint top scorer in the Womenβs Super League.
Olivia McLoughlin replaced Laura Blindkilde, and a further substitution in injury time meant that Rachel Daly and Kenza Dali could receive a standing ovation from the Villa Park crowd. The duo were replaced by Isobel Goodwin and debutant Georgia Mullet, who saw the game out with the rest of the team to make that two consecutive wins.
Villa move up to 5th in the WSL, with big games against Manchester United and Arsenal to follow in December.Β
AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER
Authorβs UTV PODCAST archive Georgia Homer
Thumbnail Media Credit: avfc.co.uk
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