Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Mariona, Cooney-Cross; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Wienroither, Kuhl, Kafaji, Hurtig, Godfrey, Blackstenius
Arsenal are up to third in the WSL after beating Aston Villa 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Alessia Russo scored twice as a dominant Arsenal prevented Aston Villa, who hadn’t lost a game by more than two goals, from having a single shot on target.
With Kim Little and Lia Wälti out, Renée Slegers named a new midfield, with Kyra Cooney-Cross and Mariona playing in central midfield.
First Half
Beth Mead ran onto a superb Mariona through ball and put the ball in the net but was flagged offside. McCabe then had a free kick in a central position, but her shot was straight at Sabrina D’Angelo, who saved easily.
Arsenal took the lead on 18 minutes. Russo, running space, was fouled by Corsie. From the free kick, Cooney-Cross played the ball into the box, and Russo leaped highest and guided her header into the far corner of the goal. 1-0.
Arsenal had an excellent chance to double the lead two minutes mater. Foord and Mariona combined, but D’Angelo saved Mariona’s shot. The rebound came to Maanum, who stuck with her left foot, but D’Angelo, with her foot, blocked the shot away.
Mead played a dangerous cross, but Turner headed away before Russo could meet the cross. From the corner, McCabe went short to Cooney-Cross, who drove into the penalty box and crossed low. Williamson met the cross, but her shot went into the side netting.
Mariona, playing in central midfield, was combining well with Foord and Maanum, and the latter two produced Arsenal’s second goal, scored by Beth Mead on 39 minutes. Cooney-Cross played into Maanum, who combined with Mariona to set Foord away. Foord cutback to Maanum, and her shot hit against the post but Mead, following up, tapped the ball in. 2-0.
Minutes later, Arsenal should’ve made it three. Mariona won the ball of Nobbs as Villa tried to build up. The ball went wide to Mead who delayed, but then cross to Russo. Her shot went straight at D’Angelo, and then Mead’s follow up was blocked behind for a corner.
From a corner, Arsenal played short again, and Cooney-Cross’s cross was goal-bound and D’Angelo had to parry.
Second Half
At half time, Lotte Wubben-Moy replaced Emily Fox, with Katie McCabe going to right back and Steph Catley to left back.
Arsenal had a claim for a penalty, after Russo was bundled over, but Abigail Byrne was unmoved. It was, however, smart play from Mariona, who sharply played into Russo, allowing her to turn.
Mead then played Russo in behind the Villa defence, and she went around D’Angelo to score, only to see the flag go up.
Ebony Salmon then went close for Villa, with her shot flashing across goal.
On the hour mark, Stina Blackstenius replaced Frida Maanum.
Blackstenius’ first involvement was to head wide from Mead’s cross.
Villa then had a good chance to cut Arsenal’s lead in half. Wubben-Moy deflected Martiz’s cross, but the ball came to Dali, who headed over. Jordan Nobbs then volleyed a shot wide following a Villa corner.
Stina Blackstenius made it 3-0 on 70 minutes. Russo and Cooney-Cross combined in midfield with the latter playing wide for McCabe. McCabe’s inswinging ball found Blackstenius breaking the Villa offside trap, and she finished first time. 3-0.
Arsenal made a double change on 75 minutes. Laura Wienroither replaced Steph Catley, while Lina Hurtig replaced Caitlin Foord.
On 83 minutes, Arsenal made a final substitution, with Kathrine Kühl replacing Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Villa had another presentable chance, with Gabi Nunes heading over a cross.
Blackstenius should’ve made it 4-0. McCabe found Hurtig behind Martiz, and she slipped Blackstenius in behind the Villa defence. Blackstenius, one-on-one with D’Angelo, shot wide of the post.
Alessia Russo made it 4-0 in stoppage time. Hurtig drove into the box and cut back, but Pacheco intercepted the cutback. Russo, though, won the ball back, and from a tight angle, fired high into the Villa net. 4-0.