Aston Villa 5 – 2 Arsenal
By Ella McShane (1/5/25)
Above: Arsenal huddle after losing 5-2. Photo: Arsenal Women.
With a win at Villa Park, Arsenal would have put pressure on Chelsea at the top of the Women’s Super League. Mere days after their blockbuster performance that knocked Olympique Lyonnais out of the champions league, the trip to Birmingham would present a different challenge; one that proved too strong, as Arsenal fell 5-2. Impetus Football’s Ella McShane analyses where the Gunners went wrong, and what the Villains did to change the game.
Aston Villa had confidence in their style
The concluding weeks of club football can shine a unique light on both the vulnerability and strength within a league’s respective sides. And last night’s match up between Aston Villa and Arsenal was a demonstrative example. We saw Champions League finalists unravel at the hands of an exceptional Aston Villa side, who were facing relegation from the WSL only weeks ago.
Aston Villa were refreshingly bold and courageous in their style of play. Their exploitation of space and astute transitions on multiple occasions, rewarded with an exceptional score line and outstanding goals.
The selected example being Jordan Nobbs’ opening goal. The ball began at a crowded Arsenal box and was carefully fed to an accelerated Ebony Salmon. Salmon’s speed on the wing allowed the ball to be delivered to Nobbs onside and open to net.
The dangers of rotation
The elevation of the score line was simultaneous to a growing confidence in Villa’s tactical identity. This was eventually profitable as risks were taken, and players of every position were intentional in their respective roles: they knew what to do, where to be, and what was going to happen.
Arsenal’s starting eleven was an unfamiliar group to the bold font of the team sheet. Subsequently, there was a lack of cohesiveness that came with these newfound partnerships – highlighting a potential lack of depth of the North London side.
On multiple occasions, Arsenal’s midfield was unable to take control of tempo or possession. The backline was caught off guard by Villa’s courageous attacking style of play. And when it ultimately came down to a Villa attacker and Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger, the keeper’s decisions were misjudged, and Villa shots at goal found net with ease.
The ultimate 5-2 score line deservingly went in favour of Aston Villa. However, the physical and emotional toll of Sunday’s triumphant Champions League win in Lyon must be factored in when discussing Arsenal’s performance.
Arsenal’s Leah Williamson stated that the game was tough “physically, emotionally maybe it drained us a little too much”. The quick turnaround contributes to the ever-growing discourse surrounding the overloaded women’s football schedule.
Arsenal next face a trip to Brighton, before ending the season at home to Manchester United. Villa next face a resurgent West Ham side, in a duel that should be close.
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