Late own goal gives Chelsea the win over Aston Villa

Photo credit: Chelsea FC

In a close contest, it was an own goal to separate the teams at Villa Park yesterday afternoon.  

The win for Chelsea means they remain top of the table with 37 points, and are still unbeaten in all competitions this season from 21 matches. The loss sees Aston Villa drop to tenth in the table just four points above the relegation zone.

Teams  

Aston Villa’s new manager, Natalia Arroyo, made three changes to the side that lost to Manchester City the previous week. Dan Turner, Maz Pacheco and Adriana Leon made way for Lucy Parker, Noelle Maritz and Gabi Nunes to enter the starting lineup.   

Sonia Bompastor had quite the reshuffle to her side that narrowly won against Arsenal the week before, making five changes. Lucy Bronze, Sjoeke Nusken, Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd, Sandy Baltimore and Mayra Ramirez were replaced by Ashley Lawrence, Wieke Kaptein, Aggie Beever-Jones and Guro Reiten. Lauren James also started for the first time since returning from her spell on the sidelines.  

Keira Walsh was also featured on Chelsea’s bench after signing for the Blues on the transfer window deadline day.  

First half 

The first 10 minutes were fairly even, with not much to split the sides. Chelsea’s first opportunity came when Wieke Kaptein found Lauren James in the midfield, allowing her to attack. England teammate, Lucy Parker, was quick to close James down and clear the danger before James could take a shot.  

Aston Villa looked to be in with a chance when a loose pass from Hannah Hampton was picked up by Gabi Nunes. She looked to be in on goal with a chip over Hampton, but Hampton was quick to gather in the air, denying the Villains the opener.  

Just after the 15 minute mark, the best chance of the game so far arrived for James. The forward took the ball on her right foot and sent it goalwards but was once again met by Parker who cleared her shot behind for a corner.  

A couple more corners later and Chelsea were becoming increasingly dangerous from set pieces. Catarina Macario whipped the ball into the box, to meet the head of Niamh Charles, before it fell to Erin Cuthbert, who’s shot went wide of the target. Villa’s keeper Sabrina D’Angelo was called into action to collect the ball, that was flicked towards goal by Millie Bright from another corner.  

Down the other end of the pitch, Villa seemed to be taking their chances with two attempts in a matter of minutes. A corner for the home side saw Jill Baijings cross the ball into the centre of the box to meet Rachel Daly’s head, but the attempt missed to the left. Their next chance came from Kirsty Hanson, who took the ball on her left foot, however, the ball didn’t meet the back of the net and was instead blocked by, Chelsea captain, Millie Bright.  

Despite many chances for both sides, the deadlock was yet to be broken. There would be lots of work to do in the second half for both teams. 

Second half 

At half time, Sonia Bompastor made an attacking change, bringing on Johanna Rytting Kaneryd for Guro Reiten. Aston Villa didn’t make any changes until the 65th minute. 

Villa had the first chance of the second half, coming from Daly in the centre of the box, but the turn of events was no different and the ball once again was wide to the right.  

At 56 minutes, the Blues made two more substitutions. Aggie Beever-Jones and Kaptein were replaced by Mayra Ramirez and Sjoeke Nüsken. 

D’Angelo made an important save, nearly 20 minutes into the second half, as Macario looked to score the first goal of the game with a powerful strike.  

61 minutes in and Baijings picked up the first yellow card of the game for a bad foul, giving James a free kick. Macario took the chance, with a low shot, but a dive from D’Angelo saved the Villains from falling behind. That was Macario’s last involvement of the game as she was subbed off for Maika Hamano. Aston Villa also made their first substitution of the game bringing on Miri Taylor to replace Gabi Nunes.  

Natalia Arroyo’s side came so close to the opener when Kirsty Hanson’s ball hit the crossbar just 17 minutes from the end of the game, before being cleared by Niamh Charles.  

Both teams made another substitution around the 77th minute mark, Aston Villa’s Chasity Grant was replaced by Adriana Leon, and making her first Chelsea appearance, midfielder Keira Walsh replaced Lauren James. 

With only eight minutes left until the points were shared the deadlock was broken, giving Chelsea the lead, with an own goal from Sarah Mayling. Hamano was waiting just a few yards out from goal to receive a pass from Ramirez, but before it reached her, miscommunication from D’Angelo and Mayling meant a scrappy attempt to clear the ball was turned into her own net.  

The game ended 0-1.  

Stats  

The game was close in terms of possession with the Blues leading 53% to 47%. Aston Villa had six shots, with only two on target, but unfortunately for them, couldn’t find the back of the correct net. Chelsea had 11 shots, and like the Villains, only two of them were on target. 10 corners were given, six of them belonging to the Blues and four for the home side. A total of 22 fouls were committed, Aston Villa committing seven and Chelsea 15. Although Chelsea committed more fouls, they managed to get away with no cards, while Aston Villa had two yellow cards given to Baijings and Daly.  

What’s next? 

Aston Villa are next in action at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday 8th February.  

Chelsea’s busy schedule continues as they have back-to-back cup ties this week. Wednesday night will see them host West Ham in the semi final of the League Cup and on Sunday 9th February, they will also host Everton at home in the fifth round of the FA Cup.