Aston Villa have continued their excellent recent form with a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at The Chigwell Construction Stadium this afternoon.
Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs got the goals for The Villans as they made it six games unbeaten in all competitions, a run which also includes three consecutive league wins on the road.
As expected, the early exchanges were hard-fought. Aston Villa registered the first two efforts on goal of the game through Nobbs, neither of which troubled West Ham United keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
At the other end, only a superb double save from Hannah Hampton denied the hosts the lead. The keeper first pushed a Viviane Asseyi effort away before throwing her body at Amalie Thestrup’s follow-up.
The deadlock was broken in the 34th minute when West Ham United gave possession away cheaply in their defensive third. The ball found its way to Rachel Daly on the edge of the box and the England international expertly found the far corner of The Hammers’ net.
Aston Villa doubled their lead 17 minutes into the second half when a flowing attacking move resulted in Kirsty Hanson playing a low pass across goal for Nobbs to slide home.
Both sides then had goals chalked off for offside. First, Daly converted an Emily Gielnik lob from an offside position for Aston Villa before Asseyi had a goal ruled out for the same reason at the other end.
Asseyi wasn’t deterred by that decision and she netted from West Ham United’s next attack. The forward met a wonderful cross from the right and headed the ball home at the far post.
West Ham United pushed forward for an equaliser in the closing stages but visiting keeper Hampton largely remained untroubled as Aston Villa held out for the win.
West Ham United now have a 13-day break before their next match while Aston Villa will turn their attentions towards a Vitality Women’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester City at The Poundland Bescot Stadium next weekend.
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