Search Results

Spurs midfielder signs for another year Back Kit Graham pens new deal Spurs midfielder signs for another year Tottenham Hotspur 7 May 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Tottenham Hotspur have announced that midfielder Kit Graham has signed a new contract that will run until June 2023, with the option to extend for a further year. Graham, who joined in 2019, has made 52 appearances and scored eight goals for the North London Club. The 26-year-old is currently out of action and focusing on recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained earlier in the season. News

Get to know every member of the current Lionesses squad. Lionesses Squad Keira Walsh Deep lying midfielder Keira Walsh is the Lionesses’ linchpin. She is, quite simply, the key that unlocks the very best of England’s potential. Walsh demonstrates remarkable vision and makes good on this ability to forward think with her diverse passing range. The Barcelona midfielder is able to spray passes any which way across the pitch with acute accuracy, and routinely spots the key space and off-the-shoulder runs that others tend to miss. Although she may not be the most physical defensive midfielder, Walsh shows capability in dispossessing at crucial moments and adds a layer of protection ahead of the backline with her intelligent positioning. It is not an overstatement to say that Walsh occupies the Lionesses’ most organic ‘footballing brain’. She is a truly gifted midfielder. Photograph courtesy of the FA.

Ben Gilby gives us a run down on Australia's key players as they gear up to face the Lionesses Australia's Dark Horses: A Guide to the Matildas Friday, 7 April 2023 By Ben Gilby Ben Gilby gives us a run down on Australia's key players as they gear up to face the Lionesses Football Australia The World Cup co-hosts Australia are in town and are prepared to take on the European champions. Whilst WSL fans are familiar with the large number of Matildas playing their club football here or in France, Tony Gustavsson’s side boast a number of other players that are more than capable of posing a real threat to the Lionesses. Alanna Kennedy’s absence is notable, but in truth the Manchester City defender has not played much international football over the last eight months. Of more concern for this international window at least is the hamstring injury that Caitlin Foord picked up in Arsenal’s win over Manchester City on Sunday. However, whilst under previous head coaches injuries to established players meant a succession of squad members being forced into makeshift roles in unfamiliar parts of the pitch, Tony Gustavsson has spent the three years of his tenure blooding a succession of the country’s young talent. Young talent that have shown they are capable of producing excellent performances on the international stage, with the Matildas winning their last five matches – a run which includes comfortable victories over Sweden and Spain. Indeed, Foord’s withdrawal means that there is the opportunity for two of the A-League Women’s hottest young attacking talent to show a British audience just how good they are. Holly McNamara, Photo: Football Australia Holly McNamara Holly McNamara turned 20 in January and holds three international caps already. In her breakout campaign of 2021/22, the young star proved to be the perfect foil for Kiwi Hannah Wilkinson in the Melbourne City side with the pair scoring goals for fun. McNamara’s pace and creativity out wide earned her a call up for the Australian side that went to the 2022 Asian Cup (the continent’s version of the Euros). McNamara was one of the few positives in what was a disappointing competition for the Matildas that saw them exit at the quarter-final stage in India. Then, just as quickly as McNamara’s star ascended, it was all taken away as soon after getting back to the A-League Women, she suffered a heart breaking ACL injury. Just a month into her return to action, the youngster is, incredibly, back to her marauding best, and produced a dominant performance last weekend in City’s 3-3 draw with Canberra United that clinched their place in the A-League Women’s Finals once more. *Holly McNamara has withdrawn from the Matildas squad following their match against Scotland. Cortnee Vine, Photo: Kieran Chea for Impetus Cortnee Vine Cortnee Vine is in the form of her life, and is overdue a move to Europe, where she would be a potential star in the WSL. The 24-year-old Sydney FC striker has it all – pace, strength, creativity, and red hot finishing skills.Vine is a player who mixes the old fashioned out and out wing play with the quality to finish from all over the front line. Whether it is using her speed to eat up the yards on the right hand side, dancing past would-be tacklers to provide pinpoint passes into the box, or cutting into the middle to draw a goalkeeper and slot calmly and confidently into the net, she is a player who, whilst has never played club football outside of Australia, has taken to the international stage superbly with three goals already. It ’s not just up front where Australia have real options. They also boast one of the most creative midfields in the game. Katrina Gorry, Photo: Football Australia Katrina Gorry Katrina Gorry, 30, returned to the game just over 12 months ago after giving birth to baby Harper in 2021. The star, known as ‘Mini’, due to her diminutive size (a touch over 5 ft) has not only taken the club game by the scruff of the neck since returning at both Brisbane Roar and Vittsjö, but has also produced a number of influential performances back in the green and gold of Australia. The 91 cap midfielder can thread a pass through the eye of a needle, or hit a stunner of a long range free-kick. The Lionesses have been warned – give away a set-piece around the box and Gorry will be ready. Alex Chidiac, Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus Alex Chidiac At 24 years-old, Alex Chidiac is at the peak of her powers. Now back in the NWSL at Racing Louisville after playing three-quarters of the A-League Women campaign for Melbourne Victory, Chidiac is the ultimate creative midfielder. Whether it is finding her wide players with inch perfect lofted passes, using her pace to drive through the centre before offloading to a team mate, Chidiac has the sort of creative brain that any international head coach desperately wants. The New South Wales born player can read the potential runs those ahead of her will make before they embark on them, and supplies on the money passes with her eyes closed. Chidiac is a player that the footballing purist will love. She has the potential to be a major star at the World Cup. For a while Australia’s options at the back have been limited. It’s still fair to say that it still doesn’t quite match the pool that they have further forward, but over the past 18 months of so, the emergence of Charli Grant, and this season, Clare Hunt, has helped to erase some of Tony Gustavsson’s potential headaches. The loss of Ellie Carpenter with an ACL injury during last season’s UEFA Champions League Final could have been catastrophic for the Matildas, yet a few months earlier, another right-back had been called into the national team for the first time, Charli Grant, Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus Charli Grant The South Australian had a record as arguably the best young defender in what was then the W-League with Adelaide United, and it earned her a shot at Champions League football with Swedish champions FC Rosengård. Grant was long admired for her potential among the Australian women’s football family. She took her chance with both hands in Carpenter’s absence as she drove her game to new heights. Grant bosses the right hand side of the defence and is capable of tracking two players at once before using her outstanding ability to read the game to make the right call time after time to close down danger before it eventuates. Whilst not in possession of the rapid pace to get forward that Carpenter does, Grant offers more than the Lyon player in terms of defensive qualities. Her ability to also play left back for her loan side Vittsjö in Sweden means that it is perfectly possible that Gustavsson can field both Carpenter and Grant in the same team. That would be one heck of a defensive duo. Clare Hunt, Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus Clare Hunt Clare Hunt has been impressive in defence for a struggling Western Sydney Wanderers side for several seasons now. After suffering a devastating injury last season, Hunt returned for the new A-League Women season as the Wanderers captain and was in stellar form once more. Regularly watched by Gustavsson and his coaching staff in the early part of the season, Hunt was rewarded with her first senior international call up in February and looked as if she had played in the green and gold backline all her life as she produced a series of performances of idiosyncratic ballast at the back as Australia defeated Spain, Jamaica and the Czech Republic comfortably. The Lionesses will cause Hunt more of a threat, and it will be fascinating to see how she handles them. England fans will be confident of overturning Australia at Brentford. Whilst they may be missing Foord, there is more than enough quality in this Matildas side to give the Lionesses a far tougher test than many will expect. Their trademark mantra is not ‘Never Say Die’ for nothing. Just remember that showdown in the Olympic Games Quarter-Finals.

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor speaks to the press ahead of their clash against Brighton Back Gareth Taylor hails Bunny Shaw as City return home to the Academy Stadium Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor speaks to the press ahead of their clash against Brighton SSP 2 December 2022 By Paul Donegan Gareth Taylor feels having more time with the new players is showing now (with their good form), and they are “seeing the benefits now of having a more settled environment”. On Bunny Shaw he said, “opportunities have arose for her, like being our more or less only recognised number 9 that we have”. She has taken on that challenge really well”. Taylor also said they will have to manage her in right way with amount of games coming up. He also said “ she is really confident” and credited those playing around her for creating good opportunities. Taylor said Brighton are a difficult team to play against, they are scoring and conceding goals and have had some high scoring games recently. “I don’t see too many real dangers in what they do and how they operate” but did add “there are no easy games in the WSL”. Taylor said “they are happy to be home” and “looking forward to the game, and hope to get a decent crowd”. He mentioned the importance of their supporters. Said great Jill Scott won I’m a Celebrity, “ She is a real top team player, great with people and showed that”. [She] is fun, supporting and has that determination”. On team news, Taylor said that Lauren Hemp has been back in training the last couple of days and they will give it another 24 hours and see where she is at. He added that in the next period of games, some players might be coming back. On scheduling and injuries, he said “there are high demands” on players. At City, he said they have looked at players individually in terms of what they need and recovery from games, and some players recover quicker than others. News

Patten's time at Aston Villa comes to an early end Back Anna Patten returns to Arsenal Patten's time at Aston Villa comes to an early end Getty Images 7 May 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Defender Anna Patten is set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering with glandular fever. Patten, who joined Aston Villa on loan from Arsenal in January, has made eight appearances for the Villans this season, however has not featured since mid-March. An Aston Villa statement commented that “the decision has been taken in the best interest of Anna's long-term health.” News

Elise Hughes reflects on an incredible season with the Eagles as they go up to the top flight Back "Every person in there means more to me than my right knee at the minute" Elise Hughes heaps praise on Palace personnel as they lift the Women's Championship trophy Elise Hughes reflects on an incredible season with the Eagles as they go up to the top flight Ryan Asman 28 April 2024 By Charlotte Stacey Crystal Palace forward Elise Hughes caught up with the media after the Eagles lifted the trophy and earned promotion into the Women's Super League. As Selhurst Park was jumping and emotions were running high, here's what the supreme goalscorer had to say... Summing up her feelings after the final whistle: "One of the hardest days of my life, but I couldn't be more proud so its the happiest day of my life as well!" On her teammates and management: "So proud of the girls that they went out there and got the job done. I had no doubt in my mind that they'd be able to do that because they've been class all year. The whole team, the staff, the players, I wouldn't want to be a part of any other group. "I know it's a cliche, but the togetherness of this group if you step on the pitch or you don't, everyone's in it together. We all wanted the same goal, although we didn't know that would be promotion until it happened. We're on a fast moving train and we got there quicker than expected. It's because of how good these girls are and how good this staff group is." On her recent ACL injury: "It's part of the game. We play and we know there are consequences through injury, sometimes it just happens. sometimes we're unlucky and other times it's mechanical. We will work through it, I've seen people come back stronger and that's the statistic I want to fall under. I want to fall under the statistic that comes back better and that's my plan... starting from tomorrow because tonight I'm celebrating!" On the Palac'es academies mixing and their whole club philosophy: "The togetherness at Palace is beyond anything I've ever known. I'm from a small village in North Wales and I've come to South London and felt at home. Never did I think I would ever get that. It's mainly down to the club, down to every staff member that walks into the building, no one goes past anyone without saying 'hi' and there's always a smile. There's always a reason to smile in that building and I hope we brought a bigger reason for the staff to smile [today]." On her partnership with fellow goal scorer Annabel Blanchard: "To be back on the pitch with Annabel is class, she's an unbelievable player, we know that. We know that in-house and I think the league know that. We tried to get to forty goals and assists between us and then I go an get injured! I've told her that she can have a six month headstart next year and then I'll catch her up again. "We've scored a lot of goals between the two of us but we couldn't do that without the rest." On making history and taking Palace to the top: "It's unbelievable. I said in the changing room before the game that if you'd have written my story and told me that this is how the season's going to end, as upsetting as it [ACL] was for me personally, I would've taken it because every person in there means more to me than my right knee at the minute. "The amount of people that are happy because of this trophy is more to me than what I'm about to go through and the reason I'm about to go through it with such a brave face is because of the amount of people I've got behind me. I couldn't do it without them." On leaving a legacy and inspiring young girls and boys: "Sometimes you have a 'why' in-house, something such as winning the league, and you realise how big your 'why' is outside of just the football pitch. We know that we can inspire the next generation. Me growing up, did I think I was going to do that? No. Then I see fans everyday with Hughes - 9 on the back or I see girls chanting or I see different players names and I think, 'wow, ok we are making a difference'. As small or as big as it is, we are, and if girls get opportunities that we never got growing up then we're all winners. We can lift a trophy in the end, but girls can play football, and they can play it just as well as boys." News

Get to know every member of the current Lionesses squad. Lionesses Squad Jess Carter Chelsea’s Jess Carter is now a regular addition in the national squad after being out of the fold for a few years. However, the defender has broken out once again with consecutively outstanding seasons with Chelsea and consistently impressive performances for England. Carter is a well-rounded and functional defender who is able to slot in anywhere across the backline. One-v-one situations and man marking is where Carter truly excels, demonstrating her insightful timing. She is also deceptively quick, which makes her a challenging opponent in a footrace. Carter is intuitively defensively minded and offers the Lionesses a stable marshal, thus allowing her fellow defenders to progress and support in attack. Photograph courtesy of the FA.

Back Nikita Parris Club Lyon Position Forward D.O.B 10/03/1994 Bio Instinctively attacking Parris is a player that is able to function well across the front line. The Lyon forward is arguably best placed in a wide area where she is able to decoy defenders by cutting on the inside with a quick shift of the ball. However, Parris can adapt her skillset to play centrally when needed and boasts a fine scoring ability. Parris is a workhorse and has no problem in chasing down a ball or tracking back to retrieve. Her positive energy drags a simmering momentum out of hiding. via Nikita Parris Twitter D2

Tottenham Hotspur boss is confident in her bolstered side as they head to Manchester this weekend Back Skinner hails the return of Kit Graham ahead of Man City clash Tottenham Hotspur boss is confident in her bolstered side as they head to Manchester this weekend 3 March 2023 By Finley Chung Ahead of Spurs’ weekend trip up north to Manchester City, boss Rehanne Skinner says the whole team “feels they’re close to a result” with Spurs still chasing their first win of 2023 and their first win in eight, since the eight goal thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion at the back end of October. Specifying the last three games; a penalty shootout loss to Reading in the FA Cup, the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the 3-2 defeat to Chelsea, Skinner said, "it’s felt within the entire team, everyone feels they’re contributing to a way that plays to their strengths and causes issues for the other teams. We’ve scored goals in those games against (Man) United and Chelsea and it’s just the fine margins we aren’t just quite getting over the line at the moment." The trouble for Spurs is that fine margins are often a key deciding factor within football, especially when you are slugging it out at the bottom of the league, and with bottom club Leicester having cut the gap to safety to just three points. All in Lillywhite will be looking over their shoulder precariously if they don’t start quickly picking up points. Team News for Spurs is also something the fans will be keeping an eye out for, with Skinner confirming that she’s “hoping to have Bethany England back for the weekend” after the star forward suffered an injury in the defeat to Manchester United. A couple of positives for Spurs will be the return of Cho So-hyun to the squad, who is one appearance shy of 50 WSL career appearances, and the return to the pitch of Kit Graham, after she had been out since November 2021 with a ACL injury. On Graham’s return, Skinner added “i’m delighted for her, it’s been such a long process and she’s worked so so hard, I am incredibly proud of her. Even since she’s been back in training she just lifts the energy of what we do and the competitiveness of it, it’s a positive for the whole team.” It embodies the team spirit that Rehanne has built at Spurs too, with the boss saying “I think it tells you everything when every single member of the squad, injured or not was at the game because they thought that she (Kit) was going to be able to get back on the grass at the weekend. I think that tells you how well she is thought of within the group." On the challenge that the Citizens pose, “every game we have is a tough game, the result we have has eluded to us and we need to try and get it back on track, it’s not going to be easy to do this weekend at all, but we’ll get results sooner rather than later, whether its this weekend or not, we’re going to travel to Manchester to make life really difficult for them and try and get points out of the game, that’s the focus for us”. Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester City on Sunday at 2pm (GMT) at the Academy Stadium. News

Carla Ward talks January transfers, progress and goals and the ambition of her opponents ahead of Aston Villa's match against Spurs Back Carla Ward notes heightened competition within her Aston Villa squad Carla Ward talks January transfers, progress and goals and the ambition of her opponents ahead of Aston Villa's match against Spurs Girls on the Ball 13 January 2023 By Paul Donegan Aston Villa take on Tottenham Hotspur in the WSL on Saturday at 12:30pm. Here is what Carla Ward had to say in her pre-match press conference. How important are the signings of Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth for the club? "It is massive, I think it is important we keep progressing in the way that we want to and think it is important to have got a couple of experienced heads in the building”. She added they “will probably have to slightly adapt to the way they do things, they're used to winning football matches for fun, used to having the ball a lot”. “You can’t underestimate a winning mentality, a hunger and desire but most importantly an experience of winning football matches” “They have been exceptional this week, a breath of fresh air, positive, lively but most of all they are winners”. Ward also spoke about the pair bringing competition for an eleven that arguably didn’t have much competition for the first half of the season as they played the same players for most games. If bringing experienced players to the club helps improve the younger players? Ward said she suggests that the youngsters go and sit next to the experienced players, “soak up, ask them went well, ask about their failures, ask them how they got to where they got to, how they won trophies”. Is there pressure on you to get results after bringing in players of this calibre? Ward noted there is pressure everyday in the job and that is what she loves, to have to think everyday might be your last day in the job. Ward said she always wants more and bringing these players in allows you to grow and “pressure is a privilege”. If there is no pressure then you're not doing things well. Is progress at the club since you joined where abouts you expected? Ward said she believes it is and believes they are on track. She said “I like to think we are in a good place”. Thoughts on opponents Tottenham Hotspur? “Spurs are a good side, they have some great players, signing Beth England is a massive statement” Also said the England signing shows their ambition and intent and will help them massively as maybe been missing that cutting edge. Ward added that a lot of eyes will be on this fixture due to transfers both sides have made in January, and hope it is a good game of football with two teams with very good players and should be an exciting one. How is everyone after the break and team news? "The break came at the right time and everyone had a decent amount of time off. They have come back in recharged and refreshed and ready to go”. She added there are sixteen available players for the weekend which will put uVilla in a good position. Emily Gielnik is back and a couple more that are touch and go and will look at today (Friday). How much more competitive is the transfer market? Ward said that they will not be drawn into some of the big fees, Villa have spent pennies but have been clever with recruitment and what they need and getting the right players in. “We have a clear strategy and vision, and will continue to do things the way we feel best for the club and women’s football”. Are you revising the ambitions of the club or keeping them the same? “We want to be better every day, we want to win as many matches as possible, but we do want to keep on improving” Ward said, but also said she “will not come out and say something like they are going to finish really high, but want to improve everyday and finish as high as possible by doing things the right way and playing a brand of football I believe in”. Thoughts on the January transfer window? Ward said that this is an interesting window and she thinks there will be a lot more movement than most due to the World Cup in the summer and players wanting to play before that. She added they have done some summer business early by bringing in two midfielders. News

Back Sophie Ingle Club Chelsea Position Midfielder D.O.B 02/09/1991 Bio Wales captain Ingle acts as an added layer of protection in the defensive third. She is able to cover well and sweep away threats before they become a problem. However, Ingle’s excellence lies firmly in her passing ability. Ingle is able to accurately spray long balls which travel between lines, passes that subsequently play a role in creation. On top of this Ingle has also successfully played as a centre-back for Chelsea this season, another useful string to add to her bow. Girls on the Ball C1

Aston Villa held Arsenal right to the end but couldn't do enough to stop the Gunners two late efforts Back Match Report Two late goals from the Arsenal sees the Emirates rock Aston Villa held Arsenal right to the end but couldn't do enough to stop the Gunners two late efforts Arsenal FC Women 15 October 2023 By Finley Chung 35,829 people were in attendance at a battery cold yet sunny Emirates Stadium as Arsenal competed a stunning turn around with two injury time goals from Katie McCabe and Alessia Russo to wipe out a Maz Pacheco header in the first half to give The Gunners their first win of the season. Arsenals Jonas Eidevall named a side with five changes to the one that got a last gasp draw with Manchester United last weekend. Manuela Zinsberger returned in goal and there were starts for Lotte Wubben-Moy, Katie McCabe, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum. Perhaps the biggest news however, was the return of Beth Mead to a match day squad, taking her place on the bench for the first time in over a year after her injury hell. For Villa, Carla Ward made three changes from the team that lost to Liverpool, bringing in Maz Pacheco, Laura Blindkilde and Simone Magill from the start, in place of Adriana Leon, Alisha Lehmann and Jordan Nobbs. A fresh anticipation gripped the North London air with both sides awaiting their first win of the campaign. Arsenal got the game underway and had the first goalbound effort of the match, after some neat interplay between Katie McCabe and Kim Little saw the former’s low effort roll towards Daphne van Domselaar with it being an easy collection for the Dutch keeper. Kim Little and Lia Walti in Arsenal’s engine room were patrolling the middle of the park well and not allowing their Villa counterparts. Lucy Parker and Lucy Staniforth any room. Some high pressing from The Gunners saw the ball worked its way out to Caitlin Foord on the left, who’s low effort was deflected on it’s path to goal, forcing van Domselaar into a brilliant low save, which Maz Pacheco was then on hand to clear. The Gunners continued to pepper the Villa goal early on but two Katie McCabe efforts were well blocked and seen out well by the visitors. Bellowing home shouts for a penalty followed from a short Arsenal corner when Simone Magill challenged Katie McCabe in the area, but replays showed Magill took all of the ball with a brilliant tackle on the Arsenal Number 15. A huge miscommunication in the Arsenal backline saw Kim Little smash a ball out for a corner when it seemed Manu Zinsberger had all to herself and Aston Villa took full advantage. Maz Pacheco steamed in to connect beautifully with a Lucy Staniforth corner to power a header past the helpless Zinsberger and give The Villans the lead with their first effort on goal of any kind in the game to stun The Emirates into silence as Arsenal conceded from a set piece again. Villa went in search of a quiockfire second as Lucy Parker set up Rachel Daly, but the former’s effort was blocked well by Amanda Ilestedt, redeeming herself from letting Pachecho free to open the scoring moments later. The moment was even sweeter for the Villa left back, her first goal since 2016 and her first ever in the WSL. Aston Villa's Maz Pacheco | Photo: Aston Villa FC Women Arsenal responded well with Frida Maanum nipping infrtont of the Villa defender at the near post but her effort didn’t trouble Van Domselaar in the Villa goal. Russo had been kept well quiet by the home defence but spun away from her marker with her left footed cross almost catching Van Domselaar out, but the Dutch stopper was alert to the danger. Some desperate defending from Villa was needed to preserve their lead as we ticked towards half time, with Lia Walti nodding a deep free kick back across goal with Amanda Ilesdet waiting seemingly for a tap in, Rachel Daly steamed in and took the ball off the toes of the waiting Swede who seemed destined to prod home her first Gunners goal. Some really strong running from Frida Maanum, showing the Norwegian had shaken off the earlier head injury following a clash with the Villa goalscorer Pacheco, saw her shot had all the sting taken out of by a Villa body and become an easy collect for Van Domselaar. Half Time - Arsenal 0-1 Villa The Gunners pretty much started the second half like they started the first, controlling possession but not creating anything in the realms of clear cut. Russo unleashed a fierce goal bound effort that struck Rachel Corsie in the face leading to the referee stopping the game to administer treatment to the stricken Scot who was gladly back on her feet moments later. Simone Magill continued to have an impact on proceedings at both ends of the pitch, putting g in a brilliant last ditch challenge to block an Alessia Russo goal bound effort from inside the area. As the game tickled over into it’s last half hour, movement was aplenty on the Arsenal bench with Jonas Eidevall rolling the dice by introducing the hero from the draw at United, Cloe Lacasse and Victoria Pelova in place of Frida Maanum and Amanda Ilestedt. In the 65th minute, some way, somehow Arsenal didn’t level the scores, a brilliant turn by Caitlin Foord saw her left footed effort fly across the keeper and smash back off the post to the waiting Alessia Russo who seemed for all the world like she was going to tap in her first WSL goal for the Gunners, but some desperate defending from Aston Villa allowed their lines to be cleared and somehow, the ‘nil’ mark on the Arsenal side of the scoreboard to stay. Everything the Gunners were trying, cross wise were just being plucked out the air by the imperious Daphne van Domselaar who was coming to collect, Marshall and clear almost every ball that went into the Arsenal box. The tactical reshuffle that was required when Lacasse and Pevlova came on allowed Kim Little to occupy a pocket further upfield behind Russo and become that link that seemingly Arsenal had been lacking prior into the feet of Russo and and Foord. Villa then hit their first throw of the dice, Carla Ward bringing on Gunners legend, Jordan Nobbs in place of the very impressive Simone Magill. Every bounce seemed to be going Villa’s way which was epitomised a the game entered its final quarter, some. Brilliant closing down by Alessia Russo looked for all the world like it was going to loop into the path of Little, but low and behold there was a Vil;a shirt there read to clear the danger. Jonas Eidevall then rolled the dice once more, bringing off a central midfielder in Lia Walti and introducing forward, Stina Blackstenius for the final quarter. Another turn of penalty box pinball infant of the Clock End saw Katie McCabe’s effort well blocked and out for an corner which was eventually worked back in towards the taker Steph Catley, who’d taken up a brilliant position in the area, but the Arsenal Number 7’s header bounced wide of the post. Aston Villa looked to sure up proceedings, bringing on Ebony Salmon and Olivia McLaughlin coming on in place of goalscorer Maz Pacheco and Laura Blindkilde-Brown. Eidevall then threw his fairytale switch on, introducing Beth Mead for her first WSL appearance since November last year with four minutes to go at one down, you can probably tell what everyone with an Arsenal persuasion inside the Emirates wanted to happen. As the board went up for twelve added minutes, a huge roar around The Emirates went for the Arsenal players which seemed to work an absolute treat, Katie McCabe drove forward with intent, got the ball back on the run and smashed the ball into the roof of the net infront of The Clock End to bring Arsenal level. Late drama was clearly the order of the day as Stina Blackstenius was sent racing away with her effort bouncing back off the post. Arsenal tails were up and they wanted more. Beth Mead slipped the ball to Alessia Russo on the edge of the box and the latters low effort squirmed past Van Domselaar to take the roof off of The Emirates and give Arsenal the lead when they looked dead and buried. Carla Ward sent on Adrianna Leon and Alisha Lehmann to try and steal back a point for the crestfallen Villa players, Arsenal were denied a late third however with the ball falling to Stina Blackstenius after being picked out Foord, but a brilliant goal-line block from a Villa defender to prevent the hosts from making it three. That was the final action of a game that had everything, Beth Mead registering an assist on her return to allow Alessia Russo to score an injury time winner which gifts Arsenal their first win of the season. Full Time - Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa Arsenal - Katie McCabe 90+2, Alessia Russo 90+4’ Aston Villa - Maz Pacheco 27’