Aston Villa Women 0–2 Arsenal Women: Match Summary

Lineups were announced and the players warmed up before the match kicked off. Arsenal started strongly and tested Aston Villa early.

2' — Frida Maanum had a right-footed effort from the centre of the box that was blocked after a cross from Smilla Holmberg.

4' — GOAL! Alessia Russo opened the scoring for Arsenal with a header from very close range, putting Arsenal 1–0 up.

5' — An early offside was given against Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson.

10–14' — Arsenal continued to press. Olivia Smith saw a couple of efforts blocked or miss to the right following a headed pass from Maanum and a corner routine. Mariona Caldentey and Smilla Holmberg both had long-range attempts that were either blocked or flew over.

19' (20') — Aston Villa threatened when Ebony Salmon met a cross with a header from close range, but Arsenal goalkeeper Anneke Borbe saved smartly. The chance came from a cross by Kirsty Hanson.

21' — Olivia Smith won a free kick in the Arsenal half after a foul by Noëlle Maritz.

23' — Another offside against Aston Villa, this time Rachel Maltby.

26' — Frida Maanum curled a shot from the left side of the box that was saved by Aston Villa keeper Sabrina D'Angelo.

27' — Arsenal won a corner, conceded by Miri Taylor; Olivia Smith had a shot from outside the box blocked after a good move involving Mariona Caldentey.

30' — An offside flag went up against Rachel Daly for Aston Villa.

35' — GOAL! Frida Maanum doubled Arsenal’s lead, finishing with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner. The goal was set up by a through ball from Alessia Russo. Arsenal 2–0 Aston Villa.

38' — Olivia Smith forced another save from Sabrina D'Angelo with a right-footed effort from the centre of the box.

41' — Smilla Holmberg fired a right-footed shot from the right side of the box that went over the bar after a pass from Mariona Caldentey. Shortly before that, Oriane Jean-François had won a free kick for Aston Villa after an earlier challenge.

45' — The fourth official indicated one minute of added time. In stoppage time Arsenal had a couple more opportunities from a corner: Frida Maanum’s close-range header was saved by Sabrina D'Angelo, and Taylor Hinds headed just over.

Half-time — Aston Villa Women 0, Arsenal Women 2.

Second half began with Arsenal maintaining their two-goal lead. The match continued with chances at both ends as Arsenal looked to control the game and Villa sought a route back, but the score remained Arsenal 2, Aston Villa 0 as the second half got under way.