Aston Villa started the weekend in 8th place in the WSL, all but safe from relegation and looking ahead towards a much sought after 6th place finish. Carla Ward was handed fresh injury concerns when Daphne van Domselaar and Kirsty Hanson were announced to be sidelined earlier in the week, adding to the existing list.
Dan Turner kept her spot in the back four after returning to the team against Arsenal, and Ebony Salmon was trusted to start in attack. Adriana Leon was straight back into the starting lineup following her Gold Cup campaign with Canada, where she was the top scorer. Lehmann and Corsie moved to the bench, whilst the skipper for this game Rachel Daly took up a position further back into midfield.
Everton had extensive absentees of their own, as they have had all season, but their continued determination has impressed fans and as we have discovered twice already this season, they cannot be underestimated.
Head of WSL Content: Georgia Homer
The match started on even footing, but the first clear-cut chance fell to Everton. Kathrine Møller Kühl picked up the ball in midfield and turned away towards goal, carrying it until she could release Hanna Bennison. Bennison fired towards goal from outside the box, but Anna Leat was able to save and keep hold of the shot.
Villa’s best chance of the half came in the 28th minute, started and almost finished by Adriana Leon. Leon hastened the attack, quickly finding Kenza Dali on the right wing and continuing her run. Dali lifted a ball over the top for Ebony Salmon to chase, whose cross was cleared as far as the approaching Leon, but her volley was saved by Courtney Brosnan.
It was a half with few chances and the break arrived with all still to play for.
Villa looked the hungrier of the two sides when the game resumed and Ebony Salmon was growing into the game on the left wing. She had an early chance set up by Daly, and was unlucky to be flagged offside after Villa won the ball back centrally and tried to send her through towards goal.
It was Villa’s determination again that allowed us to break the deadlock. Maz Pacheco and Dan Turner pressed Everton high on the left wing and the stolen ball reached Kenza Dali. Dali drove towards goal and used Adriana Leon on her way, with a one-two that set her up nicely at the edge of the box. Dali shot low into the bottom left corner, past Brosnan to put Villa ahead.
Just five minutes later, Ebony Salmon doubled the lead with a well-deserved goal following a corner. Leon’s delivery was lifted over the crowd for Anna Patten to keep alive on the far side. Patten handed over to Nobbs, whose cross was glanced on by Salmon into the far left corner.
Ward refreshed the side at 70 minutes, giving minutes to Freya Gregory and Simone Magill in place of Pacheco and Salmon. The game felt largely in control, with Villa winning back possession when needed, but both sides were trying to attack.
Momentum changed around the 75th minute, when Everton injected a burst of energy and suddenly Villa were pushed back into their own half. Ward introduced Miri Taylor and Georgia Mullett for the final ten minutes.
Everton pulled one back in the 84th minute, through a free-kick. Aurora Galli’s cross was met by Elise Stenevik, who reached the ball ahead of Leat to head into an empty net.
As a result, the final minutes were made nervous for Aston Villa, but Stenevik’s dismissal in the 96th minute helped run down the clock. The game ended 1-2 to Carla Ward’s side – another win on the road. After a strong second half performance and deserved victory, Villa are up to 7th place with 19 points.
AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER
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Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Georgia Homer
Thumbnail Media Credit: avfc.co.uk
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