Brighton 0-2 aston Villa
it was finall gameday again for Aston Villa Women after a month without a game due to COVID in the league with teams in and around Gemma Davies team. But it was finally time to get underway again with a trip away to Brighton at the People’s Pension Stadium. After games against Man City, Reading and Everton, Villa were looking at getting off the mark with first points in WSL. Everyone was avaliable apart from Sophie Haywood and Sian Rogers so almost a full deck to play with.
The game kicked off and Brighton came out the blocks fast with the first shot with Maya Le Tissier having an early shot. But Villa was to show they wouldn’t be a walk over as Jodie Hutton broke in behind the Brighton defence before making Megan Walsh save it in the Brighton goal. Lisa Wiess was quick off her line many times to make sure that Brighton couldn’t lift the ball in behind the Villa defence. Lee Geum-Min was looking on form as she tried to get her shot off but the first of many blocks by Natalie Haigh was made to see the ball out for a corner on the 10th minute. Brighton were looking to open the scoring but another block by Natalie Haigh made sure Brighton couldn’t get anything of note. Ella Franklin-Fraiture was kept busy by Inessa Kaagman and Lee Geum-Min and off her great defending Villa got on the counter with Jodie Hutton but Danique Kerkdijk tracked back well to stop the attack.
Villa were starting to build into the game more after a tense opening with some great interplay between Shania Hayles and Stine Larsen was cut back but came to nothing but was starting to build something. Jodie Hutton whipped in a free kick on the 17th minute but no one was there to meet it, but a great ball in. Maya Le Tissier Vs Caroline Siems was a great battle throughout the game. Inessa Kaagman won the ball back and put a dangerous ball into the box on the 27th minute but no one was there to get the last touch. Some great play again between Shania Hayles and Stine Larsen saw them find Ella Franklin-Fraiture breaking down the wing and as she pulled the ball back Chloe Arthur unleashed a volley at the goal but it went over the bar from the edge of the area.
Brighton were trying to use the ball over the top but as Lee Geum-Min was running in behind once again was met by Lisa Wiess as the sweeper keeper. Villa were winning the ball back well but couldn’t seem to keep it long enough to build anything to really punish Brighton. Shania Hayles nearly became creator as she poked the ball through to Jodie Hutton but her effort hits Megan Walsh on the 32nd minute, but Villa was starting to get more into the game. Villa were showing real unity at the back when Brighton were coming forward between the back four. A moment that VAR might of looked at when Ramona Petzelberger goes down in the area on the 36th minute but nothing comes of it. Ella Franklin-Fraiture was so busy working her socks off on the wing as Brighton’s play mostly seemed to come on her side of the pitch. Inessa Kaagman got in behind the defence with a long ball but the offside flag was raised to stop the attack.
Stine Larsen was impressive all half with not only going forward but tracking back as well and was unlucky not to find herself on the scoresheet in the final minutes of the half. The ball broke out wide to Stine after the Brighton defender missed the ball and as Stine set herself she hit the ball and it cracked the upright and bounced out but a great effort just before the half time whistle. But all too play for in the second half with the score at 0-0 and Villa growing into the game as time went on.
Photo from @AVWFCOFFICIAL on twitter
Ramona Petzelberger showed some lovely skill on the ball before getting brought down by Megan Connolly to start the half off. Shania Hayles and Jodie Hutton played a one-two between them before Danique Kerkdijk got across to stop the attack getting it behind for the corner. Villa were starting to look a threat as Ramona Petzelberger lifts the ball into the box but it goes just over Stine Larsen’s head. Caroline Siems broke from the back and no one seemed to challenge her so she hit an effort but it went over the bar on the 53rd minute. Villa were having the run of the play now before Stine Larsen hit the woodwork once again as her header was pushed onto the post by the fingertips of Megan Walsh with a fantastic save. Lee Geum-Min finds Inessa Kaagman but Stine Larsen got back with some cracking defending to make sure she cleared the ball for a corner. The corner looked dangerous but Lee Geum-Min had a free header but thankfully straight at Lisa Wiess in the goal.
Some great play on the 59th minute saw Shania Hayles play in Stine Larsen with a cheeky back heel and as the ball broke free Anita Asante took aim and hit the ball into the back of the net with a great finish and her first goal for Aston Villa giving the team the 0-1 lead. Brighton tried to instantly reply with Rianna Jarrett using her pace in behind again but once again Lisa Wiess was off her line to stop anything coming of it. Elisha N’Dow showed her skills on the ball as she was taken down by Emily Simpkins which saw the first booking of the game on the 68th minute. Villa’s first change came when Marisa Ewers replaced Shania Hayles on the 69th minute. Jodie Hutton was next to enter the referee’s book with a yellow card for making sure Brighton didn’t get a quick attack. Ella Franklin-Fraiture’s quick thinking and perfect timing on a slide stopped Brighton from creating a quick attack down the wing.
Natalie Haigh was down receiving treatment after putting her body on the line once again for Aston Villa, but thankfully Villa’s own shield maiden got back up to warrior on. Brighton seemed to get a good run going and you could see Villa’s nerves but thankfully the lapse didn’t last long and Brighton couldn’t take advantage as the score stayed 0-1 to Villa. Ramona Petzelberger once again did well on the ball as she glided past the defenders before getting brought down for Birghton’s second yellow card in quick concession, with Danique Kerkdijjk and Danielle Bowman both entering the referee’s book. Brighton unleashed a low shot at the goal but Lisa Wiess got down really well to stop the shot on the 86th minute.
With the injury’s and stoppages it saw 7 minutes injury time pop up on the board. Villa were trying to make sure they kept the clean sheet and the 3 points would follow. Keeping possession and killing time was a good start to that. The 91st minute a cracking effort by Brighton saw Lisa Wiess leap to tip the ball over the bar as the long range effort looked goal bound, a confident and calm Lisa Wiess also came out to collect the corner that proceeded it. So with a save and a catch it was Lisa Wiess time to become provider as well as her long ball over the top saw Ramona Petzelberger in over the top and in behind the Brighton defence. An expert touch and deft finish saw the ball loop over the on rushing Megan Walsh to nestle into the back of the net and give Aston Villa a 0-2 lead while 4 minutes of Injury time remained. Diana Silva had the final effort of the game but her effort went over the bar. The referee blew the final whistle and another day in Aston Villa history as their first clean sheet in WSL, their first goal in open play in the WSL, Their first points in WSL and a first win in the WSL.
Photo from @AVWFCOFFICIAL on twitter
Lisa Weiss – Was ready to keep her clean sheet at all times. But none more than the effort at 0-1 she pulled off a fantastic finger tip save just before Villa’s second.
ella franklin-fraiture – I will often say the best player in WSL, and Ella never let’s me down works her socks off at the back to turn defence into attack and had talented Inessa Kaagman against her today.
Natalie Haigh – Rocky she takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Always there to put her body on the line for the team throughout the game. One of best players on the pitch again.
Caroline Siems – My Player Of The Match, a constant in breaking up Brighton’s attacks but also trying to push Villa forward when they was under the cosh at the back.
Chloe Arthur – A proper CM performance gritty and to the point of making sure that she was the engine in the middle of the pitch to stop and create when Villa most needed it.
Anita Asante – Worked hard in the middle of the pitch. Old legs on a experienced mind showed as she was involved in alot of Villa’s creative side and driving force.
Ramona Petzleberger – I must say one of my favorites in the new players. Seems a real honest and hardworking player with skill and drive. Worked hard all game and finished her goal with expertise and slight touch.
Shania Hayles – You can never ever fault Shania for her effort and work rate. She will chase and hunt for every ball to try and get Villa going towards the goal at every chance she has.
Stine Larsen – Stine was fantastic coming back to help at the back but also in front of goal was so unlucky to hit the post twice in the game without getting a goal she deserved.
Jodie Hutton – Jodie does what jodie always does and gives you 110% on and off the ball. tenacious and a desrie to win the win ball back at every chance. Jodie will drive the team forward towards goal at a drop of a hat.
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Marisa Ewers – Marisa came onto help secure up the midfield in the second half and try and control possession with the rest of the team.
Diana Silva – Diana came on to help drive Villa forward in the final minutes of the game. Showed her pace a few times to get Villa on front foot.
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A first win for Aston Villa Women and a massive statement as well. Not only a win but a clean sheet all building up towards the derby between Villa and Birmingham City at Villa Park on Saturday 14th. It’s a real shame that fan’s still can’t attend a game as it will be no doubt Aston Villa’s biggest game in the season and in the history as for the first time the game between the two teams will be a league game in the top flight of English Women’s Football. Hopefully Villa can get the victory over Birmingham City this season as in the past season’s i’ve watched Villa have never beaten Birmingham City which included my first ever Aston Villa Ladies game back at Coles Lane.
