WSL: Arsenal dominate Aston Villa to move up to third in the table

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·8 December 2024

WSL: Arsenal dominate Aston Villa to move up to third in the table

A dominant performance from Arsenal saw them earn a commanding 4-0 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates. The Gunners remain unbeaten in their last five Women’s Super League games and have scored 15 goals in that time.

Their latest win came courtesy of goals from Beth Mead, Stina Blackstenius and an Alessia Russo brace. Arsenal remain ahead of Manchester United on goal difference, following their own 4-0 win over rivals Liverpool.

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Starting XIs

Arsenal

Van Domselaar; McCabe, Catley, Williamson, Fox, Cooney-Cross, Caldentey, Maanum, Foord, Russo, Mead.

Aston Villa

D’Angelo; Tomas, Turner, Patten, Mayling, Nobbs, Staniforth, Hanson, Daly, Grant, Salmon.

Arsenal dominate Villa

A strong first half performance from Arsenal saw them take the lead after just 17 minutes. Kyra Cooney-Cross delivered a fantastic free-kick which Russo headed home for her first of the afternoon. Moments later, former Arsenal goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo stopped the lead being doubled with two superb reactionary saves.

Mead eventually added Arsenal’s second by tapping home a well-earned goal in the 38th minute. Frida Maanum’s effort ricocheted against the post and the Lioness was there to put the ball in the back of the net.

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The second half saw Villa grow into the game and become more dangerous. Chasity Grant created their first chance when she found herself in acres of space, but Steph Catley ultimately blocked her shot. Immediately afterward, Russo appeared to have added another, but the offside flag ruled it out.

Arsenal did finally add a third in the 69th minute as Blackstenius timed her run perfectly to finish off Katie McCabe’s cross. An excellent run by substitute Lina Hurtig was later rewarded when Russo smashed the ball home for the second of the match in stoppage time. She has now scored in her last four WSL matches.

Arsenal will meet with Vålerenga in the Champions League on Thursday before Liverpool welcome them to the St Helens Stadium on Sunday, December 15th for their last WSL match of 2024.