With the WSL season heading into its final stretch, Aston Villa took to the Bescot for the last time on Saturday afternoon.
Leicester City were the visitors, just a few days after the sacking of manager Willie Kirk. Villa have a positive league record against Leicester, and would look to continue this form in the hunt for a top half finish.
Rachel Corsie and Alisha Lehmann returned to the side, whilst full-backs Sarah Mayling and Maz Pacheco missed out. Dan Turner moved out to left-back and Noelle Maritz took up her preferred right-back position. Rachel Daly was utilised again in a deeper role, dropping back behind the front line.
Head of WSL Content: Georgia Homer
Villa started the game pressing high, and Daly’s new position supported this effectively. In the 9th minute, Lehmann and Dali worked to win the ball back, which fell to Daly who took on a shot from around 40 yards. She managed height and power, but Lize Kop reached the top left corner to keep it out.
Anna Patten and Ebony Salmon both came close just a minute later, after the defender rose high to head a cross from Lehmann towards goal. Kop stopped the shot from Patten, pushing the ball towards Salmon. Salmon’s follow up was saved again, as Kop got down low and kept hold of the ball this time.
The opener came for Villa in the 26th minute through Adriana Leon, but it was a well-worked move that started from the back. Anna Patten found Jordan Nobbs in midfield, who used Kenza Dali before Ebony Salmon took over on the right wing. Salmon played a low cross in front of goal, and Leon was ready to finish it off at the back post.
The lead lasted just two minutes before Leicester equalised. A Villa throw was quickly won back in their own half by a determined Leicester side. Nicole Momiki ran with the ball as if to shoot into the bottom left corner, but dragged the shot back towards the right and away from Anna Leat.
The half ended level, despite Leicester’s Petermann hitting the post and Villa creating chances of their own. Both sides sensed a possible win, and both were looking to attack.
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The second-half opened in a similar fashion, with both sides looking to get ahead. Kenza Dali had a shot blocked following a cut-back from Maritz, and Jutta Rantala’s shot from distance was too high for Leicester.
Ten minutes into the half, Leicester took the lead. Nicole Momiki delivered a free-kick into the box, which Sam Tierney was able to steer towards goal. The header needed little power, just the slight contact to direct the ball into the bottom right corner.
At the 65 minute mark, Ward turned to three substitutes. Magill, Mullett, and Pacheco replaced Salmon, Lehmann and Turner. In the minutes to follow, Daly and Patten both had chances to level things. Patten’s shot was saved and Daly’s header was off target.
Rachel Daly got her goal after 75 minutes, when a Nobbs cross found her unmarked towards the far post. She lifted her foot to reach the volley, making the shot back across goal look easy.
Miri Taylor took Jordan Nobbs’ place just after her assist and supported the team to secure the point. With momentum switching throughout the game, the draw seems a fair result and keeps the points ticking for Villa. With just four games remaining, the players will look to finish as strongly as possible, with a tough game against Chelsea following the international break.
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AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER
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Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Georgia Homer
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