Aston Villa edged out a 2-1 win over West Ham in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, thanks to goals from Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs.
With seven points separating the two sides prior to kick-off, fifth place Aston Villa made the journey to face the Hammers.
Starting XIs
West Ham
Arnold; Smith, Shimizu, Evans, Snerle, Thestrup, Parker, Hayashi, Fisk, Cissoko (c), Asseyi
Aston Villa
Hampton; Mayling, Corsie (c), Lehmann, Daly, Dali, Staniforth, Turner, Hanson, Pacheco, Nobbs
How it went
Despite a strong start to the tie, the opening goal came from a defensive error. Daly’s 34th minute effort was the only thing to separate the two sides going into the break despite a raft of good chances for both sides.
The second half proved much the same as the first. Chances for both sides led to nothing until the 62nd minute when Nobbs slipped the ball beyond Mckenzie Arnold to give the visitors a comfortable lead.
Just one minute after having a goal disallowed, West Ham got it right back. Viviane Asseyi’s 79th minute header pulled the game back within the hosts’ reach with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
The home side could not get the equaliser, however, and the tie ended with the visitors taking all three points.
The victory moves Aston Villa within three points of Arsenal, having played two games more. West Ham remain in seventh place, with Everton above and holding a game in hand.
Up Next
Aston Villa’s next challenge will see them take on Manchester City in the quarter-final of the FA Cup. After that, Leicester awaits them in the WSL.
For West Ham, they will travel up north to face WSL title challengers Manchester United.
