Chelsea drop points against Aston Villa for the first time in WSL

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

Aston Villa scored a late equaliser against the run of play to disrupt Chelsea's start to the Women's Super League campaign.

Sonia Bompastor's side were in complete control at Stamford Bridge, having taken an early lead through Lauren James.

They had plenty of opportunities in the second half to increase their tally, with Keira Walsh striking the underside of the crossbar and Aggie Beever-Jones having a goal ruled out for offside.

Lucy Bronze, wearing the captain's armband, also drew a smart save from Villa goalkeeper Akane Okuma before Sjoeke Nusken and Ellie Carpenter went close.

Although new Villa signing Amalie Vangsgaard fired inches wide, it was an otherwise uninspiring display for the visitors until Noelle Maritz scrambled a shot inside Chelsea's penalty area that bounced off keeper Hannah Hampton and defender Veerle Buurman and into the net.

Villa manager Natalia Arroyo jumped up in celebration, while Chelsea fans watched in disbelief and frustration after their side's missed chances.

It was a costly two points lost for Chelsea and a valuable draw to kickstart Villa's season.

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Knowing potential challengers are appearing lower down the table this season in London City Lionesses and Tottenham, Chelsea were keen to show they remain title contenders.

Bompastor has described this season as a transitional one for the club as they rebuild following the departure of big-name players Millie Bright, Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr.

But the quality that remains in Chelsea's squad is of the highest calibre and, in England forward James, they have one of the world's most talented.

She was electric from the first minute and seemed to have put her team in the best position to push on and seal three points comfortably.

However, as chances came and went, anxiety began to creep in and Villa took their chance when it arrived to spoil Chelsea's day.

Aston Villa analysis: Work to do despite point

'Save after save!' - Okuma stars for Villa

Many have written Villa off this season and this was not a performance that instilled much confidence - but it became a result that will have pleased supporters.

Chelsea are a difficult marker for any team to be judged on given the gulf in experience and quality, and Villa had barely laid a glove on them in the 79 minutes before their equaliser.

Villa had five new signings in the starting XI and one of them, Vangsgaard, came close on one occasion, while Mia McAuley showed flashes of her potential in the first half.

Arroyo could do little with her bench to influence the game, while Chelsea continued to ruthlessly pepper Okuma's net.

Villa needed a bit of luck - and it arrived with 10 minutes to go as Hampton's outstretched leg only pushed Maritz's strike on to Buurman and there was no time to react.

There is still plenty of work to do for Villa and this result does not mask a tame display, but they must be praised for their endeavour and their ability to capitalise on the opportunity when it came.

Player of the match

A. Okuma
7.65
10 L. James
6.17
24 H. Hampton
5.74
2 E. Carpenter
5.67
6 S. Nüsken
5.36
22 L. Bronze
5.31
12 A. Thompson
5.31
19 W. Kaptein
5.16
5 V. Buurman
5.10
15 K. McCabe
5.06
21 K. Walsh
4.88
33 A. Beever-Jones
4.59
11 S. Baltimore
4.56
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