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.