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Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa: Blues bounce back from cup exits

By Adam MillingtonBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Women's Footballcomments224

Chelsea bounced back from successive cup exits to return to the top of the Women's Super League by beating Aston Villa.

Emma Hayes' side were handed a gift after just four minutes as Villa keeper Anna Leat dived to save a Sjoeke Nusken shot with her hands outside the penalty area and was shown a red card.

A player down, Villa cracked under Chelsea's pressure and Aggie Beever-Jones opened the scoring when she curled past replacement goalkeeper Sophia Poor after a perfectly placed Niamh Charles cross.

There was no respite for 17-year-old debutant Poor and Chelsea got their second when Maika Hamano turned home after Catarina Macario flicked an Ashley Lawrence cross into her path.

Chelsea, who were beaten by Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday and lost to Arsenal in the League Cup final on 31 March, were dominant throughout as they enjoyed the majority of possession and were patient going forward.

The result never seemed in doubt and they extended their advantage when Kadeisha Buchanan headed home a Macario delivery in the second half.

Victory in their game in hand sent Chelsea back above Manchester City on goal difference, while Aston Villa remain in seventh place.

Chelsea back on top with routine win

Chelsea boss Hayes had said before Wednesday's fixture that her players needed to "show up" but Villa's early sending off meant it was never going to be too troublesome a task.

They enjoyed freedom in possession as Villa were forced to sit deep, striker Rachel Daly having to drop into defence.

Villa couldn't cope, though, and they were torn apart on the wings - particularly on the right, where Charles regularly found a way behind their backline.

Macario showcased her dangers from set-pieces on her first start and both Charles and Nusken nearly converted from them in the first half.

Hayes made seven changes with an eye on Saturday's Women's Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona, and there was no Lauren James in the squad, but the rotation did not hold Chelsea back - rather, they flourished.

While Villa had not played a game since 30 March, they had no option to rotate anyway, and were only able to name six substitutes.

First-choice goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is out with an injury and Leat's three-match suspension will make selecting a squad even more difficult for Villa.

Chelsea's attention must turn quickly to the Champions League as they continue their quest to win the competition for the first time in Hayes' final season as manager, but they go into two weekends of European action knowing they have the advantage at the top.

They are level on points with Manchester City, but have a goal difference that is two goals better - which could prove crucial with just four games remaining in the race for the title.

Line-ups

Chelsea Women

Formation 4-3-3

  • 24Hampton
  • 12LawrenceBooked at 77mins
  • 7CarterSubstituted forCuthbertat 69'minutes
  • 26Buchanan
  • 21CharlesSubstituted forReitenat 56'minutes
  • 6Nüsken
  • 5IngleBooked at 61mins
  • 14Kirby
  • 33Beever-JonesSubstituted forRytting Kanerydat 82'minutes
  • 9MacárioSubstituted forRamírezat 69'minutes
  • 23Hamano

Substitutes

  • 1Musovic
  • 8Leupolz
  • 11Reiten
  • 15Périsset
  • 19Rytting Kaneryd
  • 22Cuthbert
  • 35Ramírez

Aston Villa Women

Formation 3-4-1-2

  • 21LeatBooked at 4mins
  • 4Patten
  • 6CorsieBooked at 8mins
  • 26Maritz
  • 2MaylingSubstituted forLehmannat 81'minutes
  • 8Nobbs
  • 25Taylor
  • 9DalyBooked at 45mins
  • 10DaliSubstituted forHansonat 69'minutes
  • 22MagillSubstituted forMullettat 82'minutes
  • 17SalmonSubstituted forPoorat 5'minutes

Substitutes

  • 7Lehmann
  • 11Gregory
  • 13Poor
  • 18Mullett
  • 20Hanson
  • 23Leon
Referee:
Melissa Burgin
Attendance:
1,801

Match Stats

Home TeamChelsea WomenAway TeamAston Villa Women
Possession
Home62%
Away38%
Shots
Home21
Away5
Shots on Target
Home7
Away1
Corners
Home13
Away1
Fouls
Home7
Away10

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Chelsea Women 3, Aston Villa Women 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 3, Aston Villa Women 0.

  3. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Noëlle Maritz.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women).

  5. Post update

    Rachel Daly (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Post update

    Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Rachel Daly (Aston Villa Women).

  8. Post update

    Foul by Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women).

  9. Post update

    Miri Taylor (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  10. Post update

    Corner, Aston Villa Women. Conceded by Kadeisha Buchanan.

  11. Post update

    Attempt missed. Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.

  12. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Erin Cuthbert with a cross.

  13. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Jordan Nobbs.

  14. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  15. Post update

    Attempt saved. Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.

  16. Post update

    Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Miri Taylor (Aston Villa Women).

  18. Post update

    Attempt missed. Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Georgia Mullett following a set piece situation.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea Women).

  20. Post update

    Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

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Comments

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224 comments

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 22:01 17 Apr

    Chelsea women win, so no tantrums, pushing, sexist comments or poems tonight then.

  • Comment posted by we've removed your comment, at 21:58 17 Apr

    Attendance anyone?

    • Reply posted by Chelsea1967, at 21:59 17 Apr

      Chelsea1967 replied:
      Tiresome

  • Comment posted by Quantum Mechanic, at 21:38 17 Apr

    What a let down. Game effectively over after only 2mins.

    • Reply posted by The Poznan, at 21:39 17 Apr

      The Poznan replied:
      Not really.

  • Comment posted by 010128bbctaxended, at 22:03 17 Apr

    the shock on the villa keepers face when she was sent off for a diving save 10 yards outside her box

    • Reply posted by NeverEnoughFootball, at 22:09 17 Apr

      NeverEnoughFootball replied:
      Perhaps she thought she was playing the 4 today.

  • Comment posted by Keep it real, at 07:42 18 Apr

    Dreadful low quality game. The defending from Villa was abysmal

  • Comment posted by pvb1968, at 23:21 17 Apr

    Like watching paint dry, awful.

    • Reply posted by BeigeStarBoy, at 07:25 18 Apr

      BeigeStarBoy replied:
      You don't have to watch it.

  • Comment posted by Roger, at 21:37 17 Apr

    Good win but really needed to add a couple more for the goal difference. Some hard away games coming up. Even though we are top looking at the fixtures and the distraction of Europe I think Man City will edge it.

    • Reply posted by Chelsea1967, at 21:40 17 Apr

      Chelsea1967 replied:
      They might well do but City have got to play the Gooners. WE just need to keep our head in the game as have Tottenham and United away in the final week which wont be easy.

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 21:19 17 Apr

    where was James?

    • Reply posted by Chelsea1967, at 21:29 17 Apr

      Chelsea1967 replied:
      Lauren rested for the weekend - hopefully

  • Comment posted by The Mimble, at 21:37 17 Apr

    Given the injury problems at Villa and losing a player after 4 minutes they didn't do too badly all things considered.

    • Reply posted by The Poznan, at 21:39 17 Apr

      The Poznan replied:
      They lost.

  • Comment posted by craigneo, at 23:45 17 Apr

    The goalkeeper lol

  • Comment posted by moorem1974, at 22:52 17 Apr

    ONE thing that the women's game had when it became part of the nation's awareness was fair play and spirit
    Take a knock, get back, up again, don't look like you've been peppered with an uzi, sprawling about in agony
    T'was a breath of fresh air
    Unfortunately the women's game lost its USP on that front as money trickled in
    Pantomine villain, PL had Suarez who needs to feed,lioness who needs to stud

    • Reply posted by moorem1974, at 23:05 17 Apr

      moorem1974 replied:
      Example should have been made, regardless of ability or sponsorship deals, for the good of the women's game
      Mike Tyson and Luis Suarez took the hit, and rightly so
      How much more for someone who thinks they can rake, stud and stamp at int'l/club level in the women's game, and it's just papered over,
      Like it didn't happen, girl's got a problem
      USP of women's football, 100% effort and fair play.

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 17:57 18 Apr

    Only 7 fouls from Chelsea, so james wasn't playing then.

    • Reply posted by Chelsea1967, at 21:01 18 Apr

      Chelsea1967 replied:
      Give it a rest

  • Comment posted by BeigeStarBoy, at 22:05 17 Apr

    Strange game: one side time-wasting like crazy while losing 0-3, the other trying to keep the game moving to get more goals while also trying not to knacker themselves for a big game on Saturday.

  • Comment posted by JWP, at 13:31 18 Apr

    Looks like the title will be chelsea's this season. Super players on the team, but a horrible, gobby coach.

  • Comment posted by Saucysue, at 17:12 18 Apr

    Why play on the same night as Champions league it must have took at least half a dozen off the attendance .

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 22:39 17 Apr

    No comments from Leanne with her expert analysis.

    • Reply posted by Bicknells Corner, at 23:53 17 Apr

      Bicknells Corner replied:
      crying of man cheaty

  • Comment posted by House of Cake, at 10:47 18 Apr

    "Chelsea bounce back"...!
    Big Budget Chelsea women's beat another club in the "WSL" that are given a fraction of the money they get from their Parent Club.
    This division is so disproportionate it beggars belief.
    It might have been better for Villa women if Leat knew the golden rule of goalkeeping.
    They will be bounced again on Saturday against Barcelona.

    • Reply posted by G-Dog, at 19:12 18 Apr

      G-Dog replied:
      It's not Chelsea's fault that they have a substantial budget with which to invest in players. They're an ambitious team who're eager to do well; domestically, and in Europe where they're one of the top clubs.

      It's worth noting that Chelsea doesn't have the most expensive Super League squad, and neither does the club receive the highest matchday, commercial or broadcasting revenues in the league.

  • Comment posted by Forensics, at 23:05 17 Apr

    Aggie Beever-Jones what a name and what a player.

  • Comment posted by simon, at 21:20 17 Apr

    Aggie Beever-Jones was deserved player of the match. Good to seeing her playing so well and scoring the first goal.

    • Reply posted by DAFELS, at 21:41 17 Apr

      DAFELS replied:
      First goal???

  • Comment posted by richm, at 10:40 18 Apr

    the chelsea head coach is overrated the gap in teams skill levels in the wsl is so different between clubs which is why chelsea are at the top

    • Reply posted by HarryJsAllstar, at 21:08 18 Apr

      HarryJsAllstar replied:
      Maybe the skill gap s because of coaching? Just a thought.
      Or do Pep, Klopp, etc not make any difference ether?

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Chelsea Women18151253143946
2Man City Women18151249123746
3Arsenal Women18131442182440
4Man Utd Women1894539231631
5Liverpool Women188552625129
6Tottenham Women177462329-625
7Aston Villa Women1962112440-1620
8Brighton Women1853102439-1518
9Leicester City Women184592536-1117
10Everton Women1843111533-1815
11West Ham Women1834111735-1813
12Bristol City Women1813142053-336
View full Women's Super League table

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