Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
Impetus had Nathan Edwards in the press box and Ben Phillips pitch side supplying exclusive photography at The Emirates Stadium (16/10/23).
Above: Alessia Russo (far right) celebrates her late winner with returning Arsenal hero Beth Mead and Victoria Pelova. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
Alessio Russo scored her first WSL goal for Arsenal to complete a stoppage-time comeback against Aston Villa and pick up their first league win of the season.
With Arsenal heading into the 90th minute a goal down, after Maz Pacheco headed Aston Villa ahead, 25 minutes in, Katie McCabe and Alessia Russo scored two in two additional-time minutes to win.
Arsenal’s first victory of the season put an end to their worst start to a campaign since the WSL formed, and also marked a return for Beth Mead after 11 months out.
With both teams having a torrid opening to their campaign the slow start could be excused, with Pacheco’s clearance rescuing Daphne van Domselaar, after Caitlin Foord’s cross squirmed under her.
The full-back would then play a vital part in Arsenal’s box 25 minutes in, arriving unmarked to nod in Lucy Staniforth’s corner, which was gifted to Villa after mix-up between Kim Little and Manuela Zinsberger.
That was Villa’s first real chance of the game, but their second was to quickly follow with Rachel Daly’s flick easily claimed by Arsenal’s goalkeeper.
Van Domselaar, who was signed from F.C. Twente in the summer, grew into the game but was again left flapping at a lofted cross that fell to Lia Walti who couldn’t direct her header goalwards.
Russo and last season’s WSL top goalscorer Daly were both marshalled well by their opposing defence in the first half.
But on the occasion Arsenal’s forward did manage to escape Villa’s players her looping header was cleared off the line by her international teammate.
With their worst start since in WSL history staring them in the face, and Aston Villa deciding to not venture too far out of their own half, Arsenal continuously put Carla Ward’s side under pressure.
Just after the hour mark, Foord spun Anna Patten and unleashed a curling shot that bent onto the post, and with Russo chasing the rebound Van Domselaar did well to claim.
Little could be done to get the crowd cheering until the introduction of Beth Mead, who suffered an ACL injury in November 2022, two minutes from time.
The returning striker played an influential role in helping Arsenal complete a memorable comeback, with Kate McCabe’s flashed finish levelling two minutes into added time.
Arsenal were eager to record a win, and Stina Blackstenius raced onto Mead’s pass, after Russo’s flick-on but couldn’t creep her shot into the far corner, as it bounced off the post.
Russo would then arrive onto Mead’s layoff to squeeze a strike under Van Domselaar and ensure Aston Villa remained winless in the WSL after three games.
Teams: ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Zinsberger; Maritz, Ilestadt, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Little, Walti McCabe, Maanum, Foord, Russo. Substitutes: Beattie, Mead, D’Angelo, Pelova, Kuhl, Lacasse, Blackstenius, Codina, Cooney-Cross
Scorers: McCabe 90+2’, Russo 90+4’.
ASTON VILLA (5-2-3): Van Domselaar, Mayling, Patten, Turner, Corsie, Pacheco, Staniforth, Parker, Blindkilde, Daly, Magill. Substitutes: Leat, Lehmann, Leon, McLoughlin, Nobbs, Salmon
Scorer: Pacheco 25’.
Referee: Amy Fearns.
Attendance: 35,829.
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