Aston Villa 5-2 Arsenal

Aston Villa produced a stunning performance to record a third consecutive victory on Wednesday evening, defeating Champions League finalists Arsenal 5-2 at Villa Park.

Natalia Arroyo’s side took a commanding two-goal advantage into the break on a pulsating night in B6. Jordan Nobbs put them ahead with a strike which ensured she maintained her record of being the only player to net in each and every Women’s Super League campaign.

And on the stroke of half-time, Kirsty Hanson again came up with the goods for Arroyo, scoring for the third game running with a sensational effort from range.

The second period saw goals from Chasity Grant and Rachel Daly give the home side a healthy four-goal advantage, though they were given a scare when Stina Blackstenius and then Alessia Russo brought Arsenal back to within two goals.

But a superb second of the game from Grant 17 minutes from time put the affair beyond the reach of the visitors, taking Villa up to 10th in the table in the process.

Arroyo was forced into rotation due to injury in the evening sun at Villa Park, with Miri Taylor filling in at centre-back, but the unfamiliarity didn’t deter the hosts, who were the better of the two sides for large parts of the opening period.

The dangerous Ebony Salmon saw an early effort blocked after picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area, before the hosts upped their pursuit of an opener midway through the first half, Daly rolling an effort into the arms of goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger while at full stretch.

A minute later, they should have had the lead when Maz Pacheco squared for Missy Bo Kearns, but by the time she had managed to find her feet inside the area, the Arsenal defence had recovered, and Kearns’ shot was blocked.

The visitors retained a constant attacking threat, however, with Sabrina D’Angelo alert to deny Victoria Pelova who had turned her way into the box, before the Villa stopper was on hand with a vital contribution moments later as the hosts took the lead.

A stunning double save from D’Angelo as Arsenal pressed forward allowed Arroyo’s side to burst back on the counter attack. Salmon left Kyra Cooney-Cross in her wake on halfway and charged forward, squaring for Nobbs who made no mistake when one on one.

With the advantage now established, things might have got better for the home side two minutes later, Hanson firing over from the edge of the box after the Villans won the ball back high up the field.

But Villa kept coming, and ensured they would take a 2-0 lead into the break on the stroke of half-time, thanks to another piece of magic from Hanson, who netted in her third straight game.

Taking Kearns’ pass in her stride, the forward worked space on the edge of the area and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed effort which sailed into the top corner, leaving Zinsberger with no chance as the whistle blew to signal the end of the opening period with the hosts two to the good.

Arsenal boss Renée Slegers shuffled her pack at half-time, introducing captain Kim Little and England internationals Russo and Leah Williamson, but it was Arroyo’s charges who would pick up from where they left off at the start of the second period.

Things got even better for Villa less than a minute after the restart, as a third goal effectively put the game out of the visitors’ reach. D’Angelo was again involved, sending a long ball forward which Katie McCabe failed to deal with, allowing Grant to steal in and slide the ball between the legs of Zinsberger for 3-0.

The Gunners looked for a way back, but were greeted by the imperious form of D’Angelo, who sprung to deny Williamson at her near post, after the defender had connected with a deep corner to volley goalwards.

But Villa were increasing in confidence, and proving irresistible going forward. Not even an hour had passed by the time they had their fourth of the evening. The hosts again played out neatly from the back, and Hanson added to the goal she had notched in the first half by slipping the ball through the Arsenal defence for Daly, who neatly prodded past Zinsberger.

Arsenal fought hard for a way back into the game, and did grab a lifeline just minutes after Villa were adamant they should have had a penalty when Daly was bundled to the ground inside the area, as Blackstenius latched onto a long ball forward and finally breached the outstanding D’Angelo’s advances.

And just three minutes later, Villa’s four-goal lead had been cut in half, as the North Londoners added their second of the evening. Katie Reid sent a teasing ball into the area which Russo darted to the front post to meet, heading beyond D’Angelo and in.

But the Villans could not be kept down in a thrilling encounter which ebbed and flowed throughout. Grant played a neat give and go with Jill Baijings on halfway which released her one on one with only Zinsberger. And the forward made no mistake, steering high into the back of the net for her second of the night.

And despite second-placed Arsenal continuing to throw bodies forward in search of a revival, 5-2 was how it remained, as Arroyo’s side made it three wins on the spin ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Ham United.