Aston Villa secured a point on the road against Arsenal thanks to a late Lucy Parker equaliser in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal made two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village last weekend. Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord dropped to the bench, with Frida Maanum and Beth Mead replacing them in the starting eleven. Jenna Nighswonger was once again omitted from the matchday squad. Before kick off Arsenal were presented with the Ballon d’Or trophy for Women’s Club of the Year. Club captain Kim Little and head coach Renée Slegers accepted the award alongside members of the local community.
Aston Villa arrived at the Emirates with Natalia Arroyo making three changes, two enforced and one tactical. One of Villa’s former Arsenal stars was denied the opportunity to face her former club in Noelle Maritz. The Switzerland international was sent off against Spurs in the Subway Women’s League Cup in midweek. Aston Villa appealed the sending off but were shot down with Maritz’s initial suspension controversially upgraded to a three match ban. Georgia Mullett was dropped to the bench with Lucia Kendall and Oceane Deslandes coming into the starting line up for Mullet and Martiz. Aston Villa were also missing Ellie Roebuck through illness meaning another former Gunner Sabrina D’Angelo started in goal for the visitors.
Aston Villa were returning to WSL action after their match against Liverpool was postponed last weekend due to the tragic passing of Matt Beard.
The Line ups
ARS: Van Domselaar; Fox, Catley, Reid, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Smith, Mead, Russo
AST: D’Angelo; Maltby, Deslandes, Patten, Wilms, Grant; Bo Kearns, Baijings, Kendall; Daly, Salmon
The Action:
The first opportunity arrived with smart a one two between Olivia Smith and Maanum which saw the latter in behind Rachel Maltby for the first time in the match. Driving at the back line Smith’s cross to Alessia Russo was well intercepted by Deslandes but the battle lines had been drawn.
As Aston Villa attempted to play out from the back, within ten minutes they became unstuck. Deslandes played a pass to Missy Bo Kearns who, under pressure, played a first time ball that was ricocheted off Mariona Caldentey and found the feet of Maanum. Composing herself in front of goal the Norwegian sent D’Angelo the wrong way and found the bottom corner.
Villa looked to fight back and almost found space in behind. Rachel Daly’s intelligent lofted ball fell into the path of Ebony Salmon. Salmon collided with Emily Fox, the travelling support were calling for a red card but the referee opted for yellow issued to a sheepish looking Fox. From the resulting free kick Lynn Wilms forced her Dutch compatriot in goal for Arsenal, Daphne van Domselaar into a magnificent save down to her right.
D’Angelo was forced into action shortly after as wonderful attacking interplay from Arsenal resulted in Fox laying the ball off for Russo. The Lionesses forward’s effort was well dealt with by the Canadian stopper. Aston Villa were looking to exploit the space vacated when Arsenal’s full backs sprung forward. Conversely Arsenal were having a lot of joy on the right side in behind Maltby. Fox and Smith both made it to the bye line multiple times but had their dangerous crosses intercepted with 15 first half minutes to play.
Arsenal came desperately close to doubling their lead from a set piece after great work from Smith to win a free kick in the 35th minute. A perfect lofted ball into the far post from Katie McCabe found Beth Mead totally unmarked. Mead cushioned her pass across goal but a stretching Maanum could only direct the ball wide. Aston Villa tried to fire back with Grant finding space on the far side but she blazed her shot over after McCabe did well to close her down.
Arroyo made one half time change, captain Rachel Daly was withdrawn and Scottish winger Kirsty Hanson was introduced. Aston Villa came extremely close to levelling the scores after substitute Hanson was able to find space in behind, she cut the ball back to the far post where Grant was lurking. However the Dutch winger could only direct her shot wide, even if only by a whisker. Hanson was having some joy in behind Fox and but for covering running from Katie Reid might have made more of the chance.
Hanson fired an effort just wide with almost 15 minutes played in the second half. Marauding outside the box, the Scot was making her presence felt. Villa continued to have the better of the second half and a corner found Anna Patten in the box, Patten directed her inventive effort just wide against her former club. Aston Villa had another opportunity on the counter when Mullett was played in behind but McCabe made a wonderful interception as Mullet attempted to set up Hanson in the box.
Arsenal were beginning to live life on the edge, a bit of pinball on the edge of the box between Russo and Little meant the ball found Hanson again. Hanson taking aim from the edge of the box fired inches wide with Van Domselaar rooted to the spot. Arsenal woke up a little after that, with an effort from Fox from inside the box, blocked. With just over ten minutes to play Catley and McCabe combined brilliantly as the latter ghosted into the box. The Irish captain’s shot stung the palms of D’Angelo in Arsenal’s clearest opportunity of the second period.
The match was beginning to resemble a basketball game as the final whistle approached. Within minutes both sides got in behind each other but neither could do anything with the opportunity. Caitlin Foord and Victoria Pelova forced D’Angelo into a number of smart stops as time ticked down in the 90. Aston Villa had a late chance of their own after a smart run from Bo Kearns but she could not get the necessary power nor direction on her header. Wilms also tested van Domselaar with a free kick late in the match.
From the resulting corner Arsenal were denied the three points after quick thinking from Lucy Parker saw her capitalise on lax defending from Arsenal.
Arsenal Player Ratings
GK: Daphne Van Domselaar – 7/10 – Made a wonderful save from a direct Wilms free kick, worth a watch for any prospective goalkeeper out there. Stayed switched on throughout.
RB: Emily Fox – 7/10 – The American was perhaps lucky to only get away with a yellow card for her challenge on Ebony Salmon as a last player challenge. Showed her typical attacking brilliance to combine with Smith.
RCB: Katie Reid – 7/10 – On her birthday she was quick to react to any danger. A couple of misplaced passes early on were a small blemish. Adapted to deal with the new threat of Hanson impressively well.
LCB: Steph Catley – 7/10 – A consistent and calming presence for Arsenal at the back. Understanding with McCabe makes Arsenal’s left side so powerful in the build up.
LB: Katie McCabe – 7/10 – Her set piece delivery was inch perfect when called upon. She made a number of crucial interceptions, almost scored late on.
CM: Kim Little – 8/10 – Bossed the midfield in the opening stages, adept at finding a pass when she has no right to. The ball appeared glued to her feet at times. Won the most duels of any player on the pitch.
CM: Mariona Caldentey – 6/10 – An often underappreciated part of the Spaniard’s game is her defending from the front. Caldentey’s block of Bo Kearns’ pass helped give Arsenal the lead.
AM: Frida Maanum – 7/10 – Opened the scoring with an excellent finish, alert to the opportunity that presented itself. Used her strength well when required.
RW: Olivia Smith– 7/10 – Flourished in the space left at times by Maltby, seems to have already developed an great understanding with the rest of the front line. Inventive and alert to any potential opportunity.
LW: Beth Mead – 7/10 –Lacked the clinical edge she so often possesses at her best today. Made a couple of smart tracking runs to help curtail Hanson’s influence.
ST: Alessia Russo – 7/10 – A tireless runner as ever, and a nightmare for defenders to keep track of.
SUBS
Victoria Pelova (65′ for Maanum)
Caitlin Foord (65′ for Smith)
Chloe Kelly (87′ for Mead)
Taylor Hinds (87′ for McCabe)
Lotte Wubben-Moy (90′ Caldentey)
Aston Villa Player Ratings
GK: Sabrina D’Angelo– 8/10 – Could have done precious little to prevent the opening goal. Made a magnificent stop to deny McCabe late on and kept Villa in it.
LWB: Rachel Maltby – 5/10 Had a tough time dealing with the combinations that Fox and Smith were able to create.
LCB: Oceane Deslandes – 5/10 – A poor pass to Bo Kearns in the first half was costly for Villa.
CB: Anna Patten – 7/10 – Defended excellently at times to cut out dangerous Arsenal attacks. Had the unenviable task of marking Russo but did so like a hawk. Came extremely close to levelling the scores midway through the second half. Made more defensive actions than any other player.
RCB: Lynn Wilms – 7/10 – Struck an excellent free kick in the first half which required a wonderful save.
RWB: Chasity Grant – 6/10 – Was lucky not to be booked earlier after late challenges on both Beth Mead and Steph Catley. However she played with energy and tenacity, the only way to play against Katie McCabe.
CM: Jill Baijings – 6/10 – Struggled in the first half as much of the Aston Villa midfield did.
CM: Lucia Kendall – 7/10 – Grew into the game and was adept in dribbling with the ball at her feet.
CM: Missy Bo Kearns – 6/10 – Made the mistake for Arsenal’s opener allowing her pass to be intercepted by Mariona. Showed endeavour to keep Aston Villa in the match.
CF: Rachel Daly – 6/10 – Showed her experience in possession creating chances for her side. Substituted at half time.
ST: Ebony Salmon – 6/10 – Showed spirit in attack but had very little service in the first half. Was subbed off early in the second.
SUBS
Kirsty Hanson (46′ for Daly)
Georgia Mullett (59′ for Salmon)
Paula Tomás (59′ for Maltby)
Miri Taylor (76′ for Baijings)
Lucy Parker (76′ for Deslandes)
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Kirsty Hanson
The Scottish winger’s quick running in behind gave Arsenal a new threat to manage in the second half. That stopped Arsenal in their attempts to progress and pin Aston Villa back as intended.
