Spurs Women see off Villa

Spurs Women defeated Aston Villa 3-1 at The Hive on Sunday (13 December), securing back-to-back wins in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League for the first time since September, 2019.

Alex Morgan opened the scoring confidently from 12 yards, before Nadine Hanssen brought Villa level. Our lead was restored following Caroline Siems’ own-goal, before Rosella Ayane wrapped up the three points in the second half with her first league goal for the Club.

Rehanne Skinner made two changes to the side that beat Brighton 3-1 at The Hive last Sunday, with Kit Graham and Hannah Godfrey back in the starting line-up. Graham’s appearance marked her first minutes since October, after recovering from injury.

The visitors were first to try their luck during a tight opening period, with shots from distance by Ramona Petzelberger and Hanssen both flying over Becky Spencer’s crossbar.

Morgan broke the deadlock in the 13th minute from the penalty spot. After being brought down by Villa keeper Lisa Weiss, the forward rifled her left-footed strike from 12 yards into the bottom right corner for her second goal in as many matches. After 22 minutes, Ayane had the chance to double our lead when she picked up the ball on the edge of the box following a Villa defensive mix-up. Her right-footed effort curled towards goal and forced a save from Weiss, who palmed the ball over her crossbar.

Villa drew level three minutes later when Hanssen lobbed Spencer first-time from distance after capitalising on short passing between our defensive line.

Our lead was restored after 36 minutes through Siems’ own-goal. Morgan whipped a low cross into the box from the left and found Ria Percival, whose touch deflected off both Weiss and Siems as it tottered into the net, giving us the advantage heading into the break.

Ayane added our third after 63 minutes to score her first league goal for the Club. Percival and Angela Addison worked hard on the right-hand side and after a neat one-two, Percival chipped a cross into the box. Ayane met the headed clearance first-time with her right foot and slotted home to confirm victory in our final home game of 2020.

Our second win in the league this season sees us climb to eighth place in the WSL. We’re back in action next Sunday (20 December) when we visit Chelsea in the league at Kingsmeadow, kick-off 2pm.

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Coach's view

Head Coach Rehanne said afterwards: "Overall we had some really good, positive spells in possession and created some good quality chances, I thought there were times where we were a little bit loose out of possession and we needed to get our shape back a little bit faster so we opened up some opportunities for Aston Villa a couple of times that we probably could have cut out, but we've got to be pleased with another three points on the board.

"Bit by bit we're getting some of the players who are coming back from injury a few more minutes each time so overall we're heading in the right direction. We're obviously working really hard to try to get ourselves into a positive position and try to creep up the table. I said at the start that we're certainly not a bottom-of-the-table side so we've got to keep fighting and the girls are starting to show that now."

Match data

Goals: Spurs Women – A. Morgan 12 (pen), Siems (OG) 36, Ayane 63; Aston Villa – Hanssen 25.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Harrop 45, Neville 61; Aston Villa – Weiss 12.

Referee: Sarah Garratt.

Venue: The Hive, London.

Weather: Light showers, seven degrees.