Arsenal Women 7-0 Aston Villa Women
Women’s Super League
Arsenal kept alive their Women's Super League title hopes as they thumped Aston Villa at Meadow Park.
Vivianne Miedema scored twice in the space of four minutes to set the tone early on.
Villa's Rachel Corsie netted an own goal, prior to Beth Mead, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Stina Blackstenius and Nikita Parris striking in the second half.
Arsenal, who have two league games left to play, are placed a single point behind leaders Chelsea. Jonas Eidevall said afterwards: 'We'll take it game by game and see waht happens."
Lydia Williams 7/10: A rare appearance for the backup goalkeeper, with Manu Zinsberger dropping to the bench. Didn’t have a single save to make.
Noelle Maritz 7/10: Made plenty of forward runs and fired a shot just wide after cutting onto her left foot.
Leah Williamson 8/10: Created opportunities with her phenomenal passing range once again, finishing the season in fine form going into the Euros.
Lotte Wubben-Moy 8/10: Has certainly improved in recent games in terms of composure and cutting out mistakes from her game, but another 90 minutes of very little defending for her to do. Continued an impressive goalscoring season by slotting home Arsenal’s fifth.
Steph Catley 7/10: Has been a consistent performer all season.
Lia Walti 7.5/10: Played very deep, at times almost becoming a third centre back to try and orchestrate Arsenal’s passing.
Kim Little (C) 8/10: Always a dangerous presence in the Gunners’ midfield, creating chances in a number of different positions. A nightmare to play against.
Vivienne Miedema 910: Put Arsenal in front fairly fortuitously with a powerful strike that was straight at Rodgers in the Villa goal, who parried the ball in. There was nothing wrong with her second goal though, a thumping strike also from range. Villa’s own goal came after she smashed a shot off of the crossbar - so unlucky to not have a hat-trick.
Beth Mead 8/10: Started on the right wing and had some excellent chances, including a shot tipped onto the crossbar by Sian Rodgers. Scored the goal of the game with a long range rocket, her tenth league goal of the season through an outstandingly clean strike
Caitlin Foord 8.5/10: Played in the number nine role and pressed very well, assisted Miedema’s second goal with a clever flick. Had two goals disallowed, one for offside and one for handball.
Katie McCabe 7/10: So effective going forward- scored a wondergoal in the reverse fixture but was denied more than once by the keeper today. Replaced after an hour by Blackstenius
Stina Blackstenius (Sub, 61’) 6.5/10: Struggled last week against Everton but came off the bench to join Mead upfront- scoring a very clever goal from an incredibly tight angle via the outside of her right boot after a barren spell of five games
Laura Wienroither (Sub, 73’) 6/10: Has provided a good alternative to Maritz.
Nikita Parris (Sub, 73’) 7.5/10: Still yet to score her first goal for the club. I typed this, and then she won, and scored, a penalty in the final minute of the game - to make it 50 WSL goals
Jordan Nobbs (Sub, 73’) 6/10: Moved the ball around well but picked up injury that could prove to be serious a few minutes after coming on, eventually being substituted whilst holding back tears. Could be her final game for the club with her future up in the air. Such a shame for a loyal servant and a top quality footballer
Frida Maanum (Sub, 85’)
Subs not used: Manu Zinsberger, Hermione Cull, Jen Beattie, Simone Boye.
Arsenal host Spurs in the North London derby on Wednesday at the Emirates.