Report: Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa Women

3 - 0

We secured our first win of 2023 and booked our place in the semi-finals of the Conti Cup on Thursday night as we defeated Aston Villa 3-0.

Frida Maanum delivered an outstanding individual performance and scored twice on the night, while three January signings featured to make their debuts for the club.

What happened

Despite making four changes to the side that held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium, Jonas Eidevall’s side made a fast start and tested Hannah Hampton early on.

Lina Hurtig’s driven effort was saved and Maanum fizzed an effort wide of the post, before the Norway international opened the scoring in spectacular fashion.

After receiving the ball from a throw in and drifting inside, Maanum skipped her way into the penalty with some fine footwork and fired back across goal into the bottom left corner.

Kim Little had the chance to double our advantage with a powerful volley inside the box, but Hampton was equal to it and we headed in at the break with a one-goal advantage.

Following the restart, it took just five minutes for Maanun to secure her brace, firing the ball into the top right corner after some impressive defensive work from Foord to regain possession.

The Australia international was in fine form all night and turned from provider to goalscorer on the hour mark, breaking free down the left wing to combine with Maanum and coolly finish into the bottom corner.

There was one last moment to celebrate shortly after too, as Kathrine Kuhl and Victoria Pelova were introduced off the bench and duly impressed in the final third.