It might not be a sold-out Emirates Stadium, but the atmosphere is electric at Meadow Park as the Gunners prepare to take on Aston Villa in the semi final of the FA Continental Tyres League Cup.

They are just one win away from securing their place in the final on Sunday 31 March at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium, as Arsenal look to defend their title in the league cup.

Arsenal will inevitably be wanting to give fans another stellar performance, after painting North London red on Sunday, in their latest derby day clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

There were changes to the starting line-up for both sides since their last matches. Cup ties affected Arsenal’s Katie Reid, and Villa’s Freya Gregory, Noelle Maritz and Miri Taylor, respectively.

Vivianne Miedema remained out of the Arsenal squad due to a knee injury, alongside Amanda Ilestedt who is suffering from illness.

Ankle injuries force Lucy Staniforth and Lucy Parker off the pitch for Villa, but it was a surprise to see Van Domselaar missing from the starting-eleven. However, Villa’s Carla Ward did mention earlier in the week there were major injury doubts around one specific player, but at the time didn’t state who.  

ARS: Zinsberger; Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Catley, Mead, Maanum, Wälti, McCabe, Russo, Blackstenius, Cooney-Cross

AVL: Leat; Mayling, Patten, Corsie, Lehmann, Nobbs, Daly, Dali, Turner, Hanson, Pacheco

It was Arsenal with the first chance at goal just two minutes after kick-off. Stina Blackstenius came running down the right-wing crossing the ball over to Alessia Russo, who was stopped in her tracks by Leat.

Both Katie McCabe and Beth Mead continued to cause trouble from the outset for the Villa defence, making threatening runs on the attack.

The first goal however, came nine minutes in, from a powerful strike by Blackstenius, just inside the penalty area.

A second came quickly after, two minutes to be precise, from Blackstenius once again, as she nipped it into the back of the net after the ball fumbled around in the box, following a cross from Katie McCabe.

Arsenal continued on the attack, while Villa looked startled and struggled to compose themselves, following a very quick two goals.

While Arsenal settled into the first 15 minutes, denying Villa much possession, it was Frida Maanum who took the score to 3-0, with some first touch magic, sending the ball curling into the top left hand corner from outside the penalty area.

Villa continued to look shaken up, as Jordan Nobbs attempted to take back control in the centre, but failed to get past Arsenals back four.

Arsenal showed no signs of slowing down, with McCabe close to putting another on the scoreboard, but her hopes were cut short after Leat got a touch to it, sending the ball over the crossbar.

Villa managed to claw back some possession, but sloppy passes and slow movement off the ball meant they weren’t able to dominate Arsenal. At times, Villa’s frustration was heard through Rachel Daly’s shouts.

However, Sarah Mayling looked strong at the back, not afraid to get stuck in, retrieving the ball for Villa, even if for a few moments.

But it wasn’t to last long. With just six minutes to go until the end of the first half, Blackstenius headed one into the top right hand corner, earning herself a hat trick.

Carla Ward decided to make a substitution a few minutes before the end of the first half, bringing off Kirsty Hanson for Ebony Salmon.

After 45 minutes, Villa had failed to have at least one attempt at goal.

The second half started with as much as excitement as the first, but unfortunately that was short lived. Three minutes in, a goal by Maanum was disallowed after Steph Catley’s assist was found to be in an offside position.

The home side did not let this halt their momentum, as the Gunners were evidently hungry for more goals. Leat stopped Catley in her tracks, getting in the way of a powerful strike from the Australian defender.

Although, Leah Williamson found herself working a little harder, having to fend off Salmon for a short while as the young English forward pressed on with conviction.

Inevitably, the pace of the game slowed and it was clear Arsenal were enjoying their lead, keeping possession and creating chances with a measured control.

Jonas Eidevall later made two changes, bringing off Leah Williamson for Laia Codina, as Beth Mead also made way for Caitlin Foord.

With just fifteen minutes to go, the crowds at Meadow Park turned up the volume as they got ready to soak up the glory of a semi final victory.

At this stage it was obvious Arsenal were progressing onto the next stage of the competition and Jonas took his opportunity to rest players.

Alessia Russo came off for Kim Little, and Lia Wälti was swapped for Victoria Pelova. A few minutes before the end, Eidevall made another change, bringing off Frida Maanum for young Arsenal protege, Vivienne Lia.

If it wasn’t already clear at 4-0, it was clear when the final whistle was blown, that Arsenal had done more than enough to make it to the final of the FA Continental Tyres League Cup.