A round-up of the latest Everton Women stories after the 2-0 win over Aston Villa
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Maren Mjelde of Everton celebrates scoring her team's first goal with teammates during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Aston Villa FC and Everton FC at Villa Park on March 02, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)
After consecutive losses to Chelsea before the international break, Everton responded in the perfect way at the weekend.
The Blues were 2-0 winners over Aston Villa at Villa Park, with Maren Mjelde and Honoka Hayashi scoring either side of half time. The three points pushed Everton above West Ham United into eighth in the Women's Super League standings and surely erased any concerns over potential relegation.
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Read on for a round-up of the main reaction from that win and a look at the latest stories around Everton Women at the moment.
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Brosnan and Mjelde delighted with the win
Given the Blues were without a number of attacking players for their trip to the Midlands at the weekend, Brian Sorensen was always going to look to other sources of goals. In Mjelde he found one.
The full-back pounced in the 16th minute to rattle home a brilliant volley and give the visitors the lead. It was the first time she has found the back of the net for the club.
"It was a good goal," she said. "I'm really happy to be scoring my first goal for Everton. I actually said that to myself this morning, if I get the chance I'm going to go for it. That doesn't often happen but today it did and I am happy about that."
Villa had plenty of the ball as they searched for a way back into the game and while huge chances were at a premium, Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan was on had to thwart any attempts at goal.
Speaking after the game, the Everton stopper suggested the timing of the team's early goal provided the foundation for the win.
"We talked about it a lot, starting fast and bringing that intensity from training into the games as well," she said.
"It was big for us to get an early goal, it is hard to play away from home so to get that control with the early goal really settles the nerves, which was great for us.
"It's a full team effort, starting from the top, to keep a clean sheet. I think we knew Villa were going to come at us. Where they are at in the table, they needed points so we knew we would be under the cosh at times."
Payne speaks out after nomination
After a brilliant February, Everton's Toni Payne was confirmed as one of the nominees for February's WSL Player of the Month.
The Nigeria international registered three assists for her team-mates and was one of five contenders to pick up the February prize. Her team-mate Kelly Gago was also in the running, but the award was won by Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal.
"It definitely feels good," said Payne about being in the hunt. "You know, it's my first time in the league and the WSL. I definitely knew it was going to be a struggle in the beginning, but I think I'm finally catching my stride here."
Goodison an option for new stadium
Goodison Park is reportedly under consideration as a potential new home stadium for Everton Women.
According to The Athletic, the Blues are exploring a number of potential venues for the women's team away from Walton Hall Park. The Friedkin Group, who completed the purchase of the club in December, are said to be keen to invest in the women's team as well as the men's.
Walton Hall Park currently has a capacity of 2,200, although expansion of it would be a challenge. The facility is owned by Liverpool Council and rented by the Blues.
Everton's men's team are set to leave Goodison at the end of the campaign to move into a new facility on the waterfront. Legacy plans for the club's long-term home in L4 have not been finalised.