Arsenal leave it late to come from behind to defeat Aston Villa | OneFootball

Beth Mead made a triumphant return as Arsenal sealed their first win of the season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium earlier today.

The Gunners came from a goal down to win the game courtesy of two goals in injury time from Katie McCabe and Alessia Russo.

Carla Ward’s Aston Villa side went ahead inside 25 minutes when Lucy Staniforth’s corner was headed in by a waiting Maz Pacheco at the back post. Arsenal failed to find a response, creating very few clear-cut chances despite enjoying strong possession in the final third.

After the break, The Gunners continued to drive forward but still, they struggled to find an equaliser. Just after the hour, Caitlin Foord broke forward into the six-yard box, but her powerful left-footed effort came back off the inside of the post.

Cheered on by a 35,000-strong crowd desperate for a home team goal, Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall strengthened his attacking line with 20 minutes to go. On came Cloé Lacasse, Stina Blackstenius and Victoria Pelova but still, the North Londoners could not break down Aston Villa’s back line.

It wasn’t until the final four minutes of normal time that the tide turned for the hosts. Forward Mead finally got onto the pitch, almost a year after being sidelined with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Mead’s impact was immediate in reinvigorating the hosts and Arsenal drew level in the 92nd minute. McCabe finished off a smart move started by Pelova on the left by blasting the ball into the roof of the net from inside the six-yard box.

Arsenal continued to apply pressure and just two minutes later, Mead found the feet of England teammate Russo on the edge of the box. The forward drove the ball beyond Daphne van Domselaar to chalk up her first Barclays Women’s Super League goal for The Gunners, sending the Emirates into a frenzy.

The win sees Arsenal climb to seventh place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table with four points from their opening three games. Aston Villa now sit in 11th, still looking to get off the mark having lost three from three.