The mood around Aston Villa has certainly changed since two wins on the road in league and cup, but the need for points remained for Villa’s trip to West Ham.
Sticking with a winning side, Carla Ward selected the same eleven that started against Bristol City last weekend. We are finally able to enjoy the attacking combination that Ward envisioned at the start of the season, with Rachel Daly, Kirsty Hanson, Adriana Leon, and Kenza Dali. Captain Rachel Corsie was positioned in front of the back four again, with the aim to offer more protection.
Although Villa started the game with energy, it was West Ham who looked the more threatening in the first half. Riko Ueki had a couple of early shots, including a close-range header saved by van Domselaar.
West Ham capitalised on their momentum in the 27th minute, when Kirsty Smith drew the foul from Adriana Leon at the edge of the penalty box. Viviane Asseyi took the penalty coolly, sending van Domselaar the wrong way, and put the Hammers ahead.
It wasn’t long before Villa struck back through Anna Patten. Dan Turner came close through a similar move, but this time the other centre-back scored her first ever WSL goal and levelled the score at 31 minutes. Dali’s corner was headed on by Daly to Patten waiting at the back post, who then headed home.
Villa stayed on top until the end of the half, but went into the break on equal terms, at 1-1. Jordan Nobbs replaced Laura Blindkilde-Brown.
Can I ask a quick favour? We love producing content for you on our website, and we want to share it with as many Villa fans as possible.
Consider mentioning our website next time you’re talking Villa with your friends, or better still, It’s free to subscribe to our profit-free site; you’ll receive instant email notifications of all released articles. Thanks.
After a lively first-half performance, Adriana Leon found the net in the 50th minute and fired Villa into the lead. It came from another set-piece delivered by Kenza Dali, a free-kick sent into the far side of the box. The ball was headed down and there was some attempt by West Ham to clear, but it fell to Leon who swung instinctively at the loose ball and found the top left corner.
Villa, again, were inspired by the goal and looked to be in control of the game – but there was a long way to go. It all changed yet again when a West Ham corner was defended only as far as Lisa Evans. From this, Evans produced an impressive finish, finding the top right corner from outside of the box, and suddenly West Ham were back level.
With 10 minutes to go, the points were all to play for. Both teams searched for a winner, but it was Villa’s Rachel Daly who made the difference. In the 92nd minute, Maz Pacheco received the ball to the left of the goal and headed it down to Daly. The striker allowed the ball to bounce once, then struck acrobatically into the top right corner.
The three points were almost safe, but Villa required Daly’s heroics once more at the other end of the pitch. Even deeper into injury time, West Ham had one final chance from a corner, but Daly put her body on the line and launched herself across the goalline, stopping a sure equaliser.
Following another mighty effort, the players now find themselves in a much healthier position, 9th in the table on six points and with other teams in reaching distance. Ward will surely look to tighten things up at the back, but things are finally clicking for Villa in front of goal and we have the results to match. Next up, Villa face Blackburn Rovers in the league cup, followed by Everton at Villa Park.
Can you help support us?
Our non-profit and ad-free website, UTVPODCAST | The Website, is now accepting small donations to help support its continuous evolution and operating costs. We love creating this content for you and want it to be as successful as possible.
If you are able to help, please click the “Buy Me A Coffee” button below.
AUTHOR | GEORGIA HOMER
Thank you for reading: any likes, retweets, or shares on the social media post where you found this article would be highly appreciated.
On Twitter? Drop the author a follow…
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Georgia Homer
Thumbnail Media Credit: avfc.co.uk
ASTON VILLA WOMEN SHIRT
UTVPODCAST is pleased to partner with Kitbag. Throughout the season, we will bring you exclusive offers and discount codes.
Click here to shop now.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH VILLA BELLAS
Villa Bellas is the Official AVFC Women’s Network. In an unequal and often unrelenting world we work to break down barriers for equality.
Our network aims to raise the voice of women and non-binary people at @AVFCOfficial We support inclusion & diversity and with our allies, we can challenge sexism and misogyny, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the fans in the stands and the women on the pitch.
Let’s celebrate ourselves and champion each other while having fun doing it!
Twitter: @villabellas Instagram: @villa.bellas
