WSL: Chelsea overpower ten-player Aston Villa

Her Football Hub

·18 April 2024

WSL: Chelsea overpower ten-player Aston Villa

With the title race coming down to the wire, Chelsea welcomed Aston Villa to Kingsmeadow. The Blues went into the clash off the back of their FA Cup semifinal defeat to Manchester United.

Emma Hayes’ side entered the game in second place in the WSL table. Meanwhile, Aston Villa began the week in seventh position, five points behind Tottenham.

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Starting XIs

Chelsea

Hampton; Ingle, Nusken, Carter, Macario, Lawrence, Kirby, Charles, Buchanan, Hamano, Beever-Jones

Aston Villa

Leat; Mayling, Patten, Corsie, Nobbs, Daly, Dali, Salmon, Magill, Taylor, Maritz

How it went

From the off, the game provided plenty of drama. Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat was dismissed four minutes into the clash after handling the ball outside the penalty area. As a result, 17-year-old Sophia Poor received her senior debut as the visitors went down to ten against the reigning WSL champions.

Aggie Beever-Jones got the goal-scoring action underway in the 18th minute to give her side the early lead. Capitalising on a well-worked team break, the youngster slammed the ball beyond Poor to bag her seventh league goal of the season.

Seven minutes before the break, Maika Hamano doubled the Chelsea lead against Aston Villa. She expertly slotted the ball home through a crowded penalty area.

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In the second half, Kadeisha Buchanan claimed her first goal for Chelsea, heading home Catarina Macario’s corner.

Despite returning to the top of the table, Chelsea will undoubtedly feel they could have capitalised further on their numerical advantage, with goal difference likely to be pivotal at the end of the season.

Up next

Chelsea will face a difficult UWCL away clash with Barcelona before welcoming the Spanish giants to Stamford Bridge. The Blues will resume their domestic campaign with a visit to face Liverpool.

Aston Villa will host West Ham before an away day to Brighton. Carla Ward’s side will wrap up their season with a visit from title hopefuls Manchester City.