Aston Villa made the six-times FA Cup winners battle for their
place in the quarter-finals yesterday.
On a picth that helped to upset Arsenal's normal passing
game Villa took full advantage of this and performed well in the
first half with the Villa keeper making three very good saves to
deny Arsenal.
It was not until the second half on 62nd minute that Scotland
striker Julie Fleeting broke the deadlock,by calmly converted a
perfectly placed cross from Kirsty Pealling after she had made a
great run down the right flank.
Lianne Sanderson then scored a 75th-minute penalty, after
Fleeting was jugded to have been fouled. Arsenal where then awarded
a second penalty just five minutes later when Sanderson herself was
encrouched. Sanderson stepped up for a second time but was denied
two in a row by a great save from the keeper.
A stoppage-time goal by Republic of Ireland midfielder Ciara
Grant completed the scoring to ensure Arsenal's quarter-final
place, which sees them have to contended with a London derby away
to Chelsea on Sunday 12th February.
Arsenal continue their back-log of away games with the long
journey upto Sunderland this Sunday 5th Feb to take on the 8th
placed Northern side. Their next home game will be Fulham on
26th February.
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