WSL: Leicester City score three in win against relegation rivals Aston Villa | OneFootball

Leicester City captain Janice Cayman scored a brace of brilliant goals, while Julie Thibaud made certain of the 3-0 win for the Foxes as they hosted Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium in a WSL relegation battle.

Leicester City looked to get back on track after a disappointing performance last time out and the lowest goalscoring record in the WSL. These two teams started a point apart, and this match turned out to be the perfect opportunity to find their goalscoring form. Aston Villas new manager Natalia Arroyo’s only win so far came in the FA Cup, she was hoping her team could also rediscover WSL form at a crucial time in their season.

Starting XIs

Leicester City

Leitzig; Ale, Thibaud, Howard, Bott, Mace, Tierney, Goodwin, Cayman, Chossenotte, Eiríksdóttir.

Aston Villa

D’Angelo; Maritz, Parker, Patten, Mayling, Baijings, Nobbs, Hanson, Daly, Robinson, Nunes.

A clash of WSL bottom dwellers

The first half started at pace for two teams sitting at the bottom of the WSL table and lacking confidence. New Leicester striker Hlín Eiríksdóttir showed her strength to outmuscle the Aston Villa defenders and square it to teammate Shauna Chossenotte, who missed the ball completely. Katie Robinson then went close for Aston Villa. However, she clipped her shot just beyond Janina Leitzig’s far post in the Leicester goal.

Belgium international Cayman went one better up the other end for Leicester, as she slotted past Sabrina D’Angelo in the 29th minute after great vision from Sophie Howard, who chipped the ball over Villa’s backline and into her path.

A low point for the Foxes was seeing Sam Tierney subbed off through injury and replaced by Yuka Momiki. The Japanese international then scored a second, but it was ruled out for a foul on Noelle Maritz in the build-up before she poked home. 1-0 at the halftime break.

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Leicester banish goalscoring demons

The Foxes put the game to bed in four busy second half minutes. Janice Cayman sublimely volleyed in her second, much to the delight of her teammates. Defender Julie Thibaud headed home from close range after some good work from duo Ruby Mace and Sophie Howard. Villa lacked any threat, despite having 70 percent possession. Two long-distance shots from Kirtsy Hanson and Chastity Grant went flying over. The Foxes won for only the third time this season, 3-0.

Coming up next

Aston Villa remain in a perilous position, with only four points separating them from Palace in the relegation place. With three manager changes this season already, they’ll be hoping to secure WSL points in their next match against Everton on March 2nd.

Leicester City will hope their positive finishing continues when they face high-flying Manchester United next up in the WSL, on March 2nd.

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