This weekend, attention turned back to the Women’s Super League. Aston Villa had to recover quickly from the defeat to Chelsea in last week’s FA Cup semi-final and focus on cementing their 5th place finish in the league.
Carla Ward selected her usual team, but with Laura Blindkilde replacing Alisha Lehmann. Sarah Mayling returned from injury last weekend, allowing Lucy Staniforth to resume her duties in midfield.
Despite the marquee signing of Bethany England, Tottenham Hotspur have found themselves slipping down the league table to the point of fearing relegation. With just a few games remaining, Spurs will be desperate to take anything they can from this fixture.
Both sides had early chances, including a header from Anna Patten that was saved, and a miss by Celin Bizet Ildhusoy at the other end. It was Aston Villa that capitalised first and the move started with Mayling winning back the ball in Tottenham’s half. Mayling passed to Kenza Dali in the middle, who found Kirsty Hanson to her left, and the winger smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Villa’s second came just 10 minutes later, this time through a set piece. Rachel Daly won the free kick, which was sent in by Dali to the back post. Anna Patten nodded it down into the path of Daly, who was perfectly positioned to score from close range and put Villa two ahead.
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After the bright start, things quickly changed and Spurs fought for a comeback. Approaching the half hour mark, Ash Neville collided with Hannah Hampton in the Villa box and Eveliina Summanen took the ball and scored into an empty net. The Villans went into the break ahead, but with the home side gaining confidence.
Villa were hurt again soon after the game resumed as Summanen scored her second. The attack started from a throw into the box, which made its way towards the centre of the goal. Mayling’s tackle did not stop the ball from reaching Summanen and the player lifted the ball in off the crossbar, making the teams level at 2-2.
Both teams continued to battle into the second half and Carla Ward introduced Alisha Lehmann after 57 minutes. Before she could settle, another Spurs attack ended with a cross from one side of the box to the other. Angharad James played a short pass into Beth England between two defenders, and she shot past Hampton into the bottom left corner. With 30 minutes remaining, Spurs had turned the game on its head.
Villa responded well and pressured the opposition for the remainder of the match. Chances fell for Lehmann, Staniforth, Patten, and Pacheco but none could find their way through Rebecca Spencer or her defence. This continued until the 84th minute, when Villa’s top goalscorer Rachel Daly found her second of the afternoon. A villa corner was met by a defending player, but was only cleared into the path of Daly at the back post who headed us back onto equal terms.
There were chances for an equaliser for both sides, but the whistle blew at 3-3. There are mixed feelings around the result after such a positive opening followed by conceding three, but ultimately rescuing a point in the final minutes after last week’s heartbreak is a testament to this team’s character. Next week’s challenge will require even more spirit as Villa face Manchester United at home, where we cannot afford the same drop in quality.
AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER
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