Key events
Just when you perhaps started to think it wasn’t going to be their day, Chelsea found a way through – as they always seem to do. Although an own-goal proved to be the difference in the end, it was all instigated by super-sub Mayra Ramírez, who created the goal almost entirely herself with a brilliant run down the right.
It was incredibly unlucky for Sarah Mayling, but there was not much she could’ve done in that situation. The visitors may not have put on their best performance, but they got the three points in the end and that’s all that will matter to Sonia Bompastor and Co.
They may not have won the match, but Aston Villa can take plenty of positives from it. That was a very impressive display from the hosts and they arguably deserved something as a result. They have now dropped to 10th in the WSL table, but if today’s performance is anything to go by, things are looking up under the guidance of Natalia Arroyo.
Full-time: Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
Chelsea extend their formidable unbeaten streak to 21 games! They also go 10 points clear at the top of the table.
90+6 min: Daly is booked for dissent after Aston Villa are denied a corner.
90+5 min: Taylor lines up a shot from just outside the Chelsea penalty area, but it takes a huge deflection and looks to be heading behind for a corner.
Hampton is not having any of it and plucks the ball out of the air with a sensational touch before calmly picking it up off the floor. Incredible composure from the goalkeeper.
90+3 min: Hamano steps up to take a corner for Chelsea. She fires the ball towards the back post where Cuthbert makes a run onto it. The midfielder goes for the volley from a tight angle but rifles her effort straight over the crossbar.
90+1 min: Six minutes have been added on…
89 min: Aston Villa make two more changes. Katie Robinson is on to replace Nobbs, with Hanson making way for Ebony Salmon.
87 min: Villa are throwing everything at this now in the hope of getting an equaliser…
84 min: That own-goal is a huge gut-punch for the hosts, who have been brilliant in this match, especially the second half. They deserve something, but can they find a breakthrough with just a few minutes left to play?
83 min: Ramírez does all the work as she picks up the ball on the right before making a powerful run down the wing and cutting inside. She looks to square it across to Hamano in the six-yard box, but Mayling gets there first and deflects the ball into her own net!
Devastating for the hosts after such a positive performance.
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea (Mayling OG, 82)
Just as they always do, Chelsea have found a breakthrough!
80 min: Hanson goes to ground holding her face after challenging Björn for the ball. Replays show she appeared to get caught by a flailing arm, but she does not require any medical attention.
78 min: Here she is! Keira Walsh is on for her Chelsea debut! She replaces James and makes her way straight into midfield.
77 min: Another change for Aston Villa as Grant makes way for Adriana Leon with just over 10 minutes left to play.
75 min: Looking at the replay of that Aston Villa chance, Hampton actually managed to get the smallest of fingertip touches on the ball to steer it onto the bar. What a save! Phenomenal from the England keeper!
73 min: What a chance for Aston Villa! Nobbs plays a great pass through to Hanson, who glances up before unleashing a powerful strike. Her effort flies over Hampton but smashes the crossbar, prompting an almighty “oooooooh” from the home fans. The best chance of the match by far!
71 min: A wave of boos echo around Villa Park as the hosts are denied a corner. Hanson looks completely perplexed. I don’t know how that hasn’t been given…
67 min: Parker lands awkwardly after challenging Ramírez and requires attention from the physios. Luckily for Villa, she is able to play on. The hosts are eventually awarded a free kick.
65 min: Natalia Arroyo makes her first substitution as Aston Villa manager. Nunes, who has been a big threat to Chelsea this afternoon, is replaced by Miri Taylor.
63 min: Chelsea make a fourth substitution as Maika Hamano replaces Macario.
62 min: Baijings receives the first yellow card of the match for a shirt pull on James. Chelsea have a free kick just inside Aston Villa’s half which is sent into the box, but D’Angelo is able to claim it fairly easily.
61 min: Macario attempts a shot from just outside the box, but it is comfortably saved by D’Angelo.
60 min: James plays a pass through the middle to Ramírez, who loses a shoulder-to-shoulder battle against Parker. The defender then turns around to the striker and gestures to her to get back up as D’Angelo claims possession!
57 min: Good news for Aston Villa fans… Daly is back on the pitch after receiving treatment for that ankle knock.
56 min: Two changes for Chelsea now as Kaptein is replaced by Sjoeke Nüsken and Beever-Jones makes way for Mayra Ramírez, who makes a beeline for the No9 position.
54 min: Some concern for Aston Villa now as Daly goes to ground pointing to her ankle. She appeared to suffer the knock while attempting an overhead kick on the penalty spot.
50 min: Beever-Jones goes to ground following a challenge from Maritz and grabs her hamstring – where the defender appeared to accidentally step as she made the challenge. Luckily for Chelsea, the forward can play on.
47 min: Nunes draws a foul from Björn on the halfway line and Aston Villa have a free kick. A wave of claret shirts make their way up the pitch, but the ball is played backwards and the hosts restart from D’Angelo.
46 min: Chelsea made one change at the break, with Reiten making way for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who scored the decisive goal when these two teams met on the opening day of the WSL campaign.
Kick-off: Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
Aston Villa get us back under way at Villa Park…
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Aston Villa got off to a positive start in the first half but dropped off slightly around the 15-minute mark, allowing Chelsea to gain more and more control. However, the hosts remained strong defensively, withstanding pressure from the visitors before finding some more confidence. Natalia Arroyo’s side ended the half on a strong note, but they will have to maintain that level of performance after the break to get anything from this match.
Half-time: Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
It’s all square at the break. Aston Villa will certainly be happy with that first-half performance. Meanwhile, Chelsea will be mulling over some missed chances.
