Aston Villa kicked off their league cup campaign earlier in the week with a convincing 0-5 win against Sheffield United, but the hunt for a result in the WSL continued today, away at Bristol City, in what Carla Ward described as a “must-win game”.
After a cameo appearance from the bench on Wednesday, Kenza Dali made her highly anticipated return to Villa’s starting XI. Ward brought captain Rachel Corsie back into the side, benching Lucy Staniforth, and also chose Adriana Leon ahead of Alisha Lehmann on the wing. Bristol City recorded their first league win of the season last weekend, lifting them off the bottom of the table, and would look to widen the gap today.
The home side opened the game with a couple of early chances, but nothing to challenge van Domselaar in goal. Harrison curled a ball into the penalty box but a Villa header took it away for a corner, which the keeper easily claimed.
Villa came close a couple of minutes later, with a set piece situation brought about by Blindkilde-Brown winning a foul on the left. Dali’s delivery floated to the far side of the crowd, where Dan Turner was positioned to nod the ball down towards goal, but the attempt was wide. Rachel Corsie also came close through a set piece, a corner in the 10th minute, but her shot was sent high.
The Villans grew into the first half and began to dominate possession, but Bristol City still created chances. Ffion Morgan had a low shot stopped and Rachel Furness forced a fingertip save through a strong strike from outside the box.
At the end of the half, Rachel Daly’s header was saved by Kaylan Marckese but the goalkeeper looked to collide with the post and had to be substituted. She was replaced by Olivia Clark and the whistle soon blew for half-time, while the match remained goalless.
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The second half featured more of the same, Villa looked in control but Bristol City were offering their own threats on the counter. Daly missed narrowly with a shot low across goal, Kenza Dali’s attempt from the edge of the box was saved, and Sarah Mayling’s curling free kick was also kept out.
Villa kept pushing and the reward finally came in the 77th minute, when substitute Ebony Salmon turned and drove towards goal, trying to set up Rachel Daly for the tap-in but forcing an own goal by Megan Connolly.
It was Salmon again who doubled Villa’s lead in the 86th minute and secured the first points of the season. She made a strong run down the right wing and initially opted for a cross towards the back post, but it was cleared back to her and she cooly found the net.
It was a determined effort and an overall positive display, despite the missed chances. Confidence will improve as things are starting to look brighter for Ward’s side, with two wins in a week, and the players will be desperate to continue with a win against West Ham next weekend. The Hammers are just one point ahead of Villa, so the next fixture provides a real opportunity to affect the league table.
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AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER
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