Kenza Dali on song as Aston Villa claim bragging rights over Everton

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·5 March 2023

Kenza Dali on song as Aston Villa claim bragging rights over Everton

In arguably the tightest Women’s Super League fixture of the weekend, Everton welcomed Aston Villa to Walton Hall Park but came away empty-handed.

Carla Ward’s side took all three points back home after a Kenza Dali opener and a Megan Finnigan own goal sealed the deal.

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The hosts entered into the tie just one point behind their opposition. The Villans were six points behind fourth-place Arsenal having played one game more.

Starting XIs

Everton:

Brosnan; Sevecke, Bjorn (c), George, Wheeler (Galli ’77), Park, Beever-Jones, Hope, Finnigan (Christiansen ’86), Snoeijs (Sorensen ’72), K Holmgaard (Stenevik ’77)

Aston Villa:

Hampton; Mayling, Corsie (c), Lehmann (Blindkilde ’77), Daly, Dali, Staniforth, Turner, Hanson, Pacheco, Nobbs (Littlejohn ’78)

Ramona Petzelberger of Aston Villa celebrates with team after scoring during the Pre-Season Friendly Match between Aston Villa and Everton at Bank’s Stadium (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

Everton vs Villa — How it went

Barely four minutes into the tie, Villa had already stunned their opposition.

After a lovely passage of team play, Dali unleashed a rocket from almost 20 yards out. The midfielder saw her shot ricochet off the post and into the back of Courtney Brosnan’s net. The first half ended with the visitors leading by just the slightest of margins.

The second half continued in much the same form with both teams enjoying strong periods of play. Despite Everton having enjoyed slightly more possession, by the 60th minute it was the visitors who had produced more shots on target.

The 68th minute saw further heartbreak for the hosts. An own goal from Finnigan put Aston Villa two goals ahead with just over 20 minutes to play.

The win sees Villa go two points clear of the Toffees with just four points separating them from Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal, although the Gunners have now played two fewer games. Everton vs Villa provided an exciting match for WSL fans today.