Birmingham City beat rivals Aston Villa in final FAWSL game

Birmingham City rounded off their time in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League with a 1-0 derby win over local rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.

Founding members of the FA Women’s Super League back in 2011, Birmingham City were officially relegated in midweek after a heavy defeat to Manchester City, so this weekend’s victory provided a powerful response and indicated that they will be competitive in the FA Women’s Championship next season.

In a largely uneventful Second City derby, Veatriki’s Sarri’s 10th-minute strike made the difference, as yet again Villa struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances, a familiar story this season.

In front of an 8,000-strong crowd at Villa Park, the hosts got the game underway but it was Birmingham City who recorded the first chance. Jade Pennock struck the woodwork in just the second minute after Sarri’s through ball deflected kindly off a Villa defender into her path. The Blues number 11 struck the ball sweetly from the edge of the box, beating Hannah Hampton at full stretch, but it sprung off the underside of the bar.

Shortly after, Villa had a chance of their own as Maz Pacheco whipped in a corner from the right. The ball was met by Rachel Corsie but she couldn’t get under it and her header flew inches over the bar.

Then in the 10th minute, following a period of pressure from the visitors, Birmingham City found the breakthrough. After receiving a pass from Pennock, Sarri sent a looping ball into the box from the left touchline. Meant as a cross, it headed goalwards, instead deceiving Hampton and flying into the back of the net.

The Villans didn’t seem to be phased by the goal, beginning to dominate possession and work the ball well. However, despite chances for Emily Gielnik and Ramona Petzelberger, they struggled with their final ball and couldn’t capitalise on a good spell of pressure as the first half came to a close.

The second half was an even quieter affair, with the few opportunities that did materialise going Villa’s way, as Carla Ward’s side searched for the equaliser.

In the 65th minute, Villa had their best chance of the game as Petzelberger’s free-kick led to a goalmouth scramble that left fans around the stadium in disbelief as to how the ball had stayed out. Villa had chance-after-chance from all angles as the ball bounced around the box but each one was met by either the woodwork or a Birmingham City player, before Emily Ramsey eventually alleviated the danger for good.

Minutes later, another opportunity fell to The Villans as Ruesha Littlejohn rifled one on target from edge of the box but Ramsey made a diving save to push the ball to safety.

Villa continued to pile on the pressure as the clock ticked down but Birmingham City held strong and thanks to some resolute defending, were able to see the game out and conclude their disappointing campaign on a high. Meanwhile, Villa end the season in ninth place with six more points than their 2020/2021 campaign.