Player ratings:

Manu Zinsberger 5.5/10

Could have done better with Ebony Salmon’s strike, but it was placed well into the corner, albeit a scuffed finish. Did not face another shot.

Katie McCabe 6/10

Couldn;’t recreate her brilliance in Arsenal’s last visit to Villa Park, when she scored an incredible long-range goal. Replaced by Catley in the 65th minute.

Lotte Wubben-Moy 7/10

Didn’t follow Adriana Leon when she ran into acres of space in the box to set up Salmon’s opener, but made up for that error when she headed in for Arsenal with six minutes to go!

WUBBEN-MOY! ARSENAL LEADMcCabe runs down the touchline to celebrate!! pic.twitter.com/nsRi1kqFdH

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) March 24, 2024

Leah Williamson 7.5/10

Made some important interventions at the back, particularly in preventing Villa counter-attacks.

Emily Fox 7/10

Back in the starting lineup and made plenty of inrodes on the right flank, defending well too.

Kim Little 7.5/10

Tested the home side with some early shots and was more effective in a deeper role.

Victoria Pelova 7.5/10

Was alert to fire past Leat to equalise for Arsenal, and almost put the Gunners in front if not for a fingertip save.

Pelova fires in an equaliser after Russo’s shot was saved! 1-1 pic.twitter.com/fgSYykFYcC

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) March 24, 2024

Cloe Lacasse 6/10

Eager to make runs in behind Sarah Mayling but could not find a lot of joy in attack. Replaced in the second half by Caitlin Foord.

Frida Maanum 7/10

Replaced Lia Walti, who is out for “several weeks” with a knee injury according to Jonas Eidevall. Played in the number ten role and hit the post with a curling effort that would have been a spectacular goal.

Beth Mead 6.5/10

Drove a shot at the goalkeeper in the second half and worked hard to stretch the Villa defence.

Alessia Russo 8/10

Her shot was parried into Pelova’s path for the equaliser. Created chances for her teammates and caused Villa problems, hitting the crossbar with a header and assisting Wubben-Moy’s goal.

Steph Catley (Sub, 65’) 6/10

Straight swap for McCabe at left-back and was effective straight away.

Caitlin Foord (Sub, 65’) 6.5/10

Impactful from the get-go, and should have scored if not for a strong save by the brilliant Leat.

Stina Blackstenius (Sub, 71’) 7/10

Headed straight at Leat from Russo’s deep cross, and scored despite initially slipping over to seal Arsenal’s comeback win. Always works well when she is on the same pitch as Russo, but one is often preferred to the other by Jonas Eidevall.

BLACKSTENIUS! 3-1! She slips in the box but still gets a shot away and Arsenal have surely won it now pic.twitter.com/GEs92UYzCU

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) March 24, 2024

Kyra Cooney-Cross (Sub, 81’)

Subs not used: Sabrina D’Angelo, Naomi Williams, Laia Codina, Katie Reid, Laura Wienroither.