Renée Slegers was delighted with our performance against Aston Villa in the Fourth Round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup, as a 2-0 win took us through to the last 16 of the competition.
Goals from Stina Blackstenius and Kim Little in the first 15 minutes of the second half secured a comfortable win, our first of 2026.
"Very happy with the result," Renee said after the game, "happy with the clean sheet, how the team defended our goal because there were a couple of warning shots in the first half.
"I think we could have scored in the first half as well, (but) I think we go up in intensity in the second half. We're more determined in what we want to do and what we want to create and we stick to the basics as well because defending was important today.
"First contact, second balls; the whole team did that today, we were invested. I'm really happy with the result and I think the two goals, happy with the set-piece goal and the other goal is just a really good team goal as well."
Sunday's FA Cup tie was our first of four consecutive games in different competitions, with Manchester United to come to in the Subway Women's League Cup and Chelsea in the Women's Super League before we compete in the Women's Champions Cup.
Ahead of a big week, Renee was pleased with the improvements we made from last weekend's 0-0 draw with United at Emirates Stadium.
"I think against United what was lacking was goals, we kept a clean sheet there as well, we created a lot, so I'm happy.
"Another clean sheet now since the break, we scored two goals today against Villa, of course that's good going into all the other games we're going to play now."
With the games coming thick and fast, we'll likely need to make use of our squad depth over the coming weeks. Renée praised the impact of our substitutes against Villa and reiterated how crucial our depth will be if we are to challenge in all five competitions.
"It is important and like we say, the role you play for the team, regardless of amount of minutes on the pitch, which of course every player is working towards, the whole team makes an impact.
"But if I look at today, the players that start for us and the players that come on for us, really good, and now we have two days to recover and get ready for United."
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Report: Arsenal Women 2-0 Aston Villa](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/women/2026-Jan-18/women-2-0-aston-villa-women-match-report?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=embedded-article&utm_campaign=news)
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