WSL: Aston Villa fail to take chances in 0-0 draw with Leicester City | OneFootball

Aston Villa dominated possession but could not take their chances as Leicester City held them to a goalless draw in this Women’s Super League clash at Villa Park.

The hosts had 17 shots, with eight of them testing goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, who kept her team in the game throughout. Villa’s inability to convert was the story of the match. Despite an expected goals rating of 2.59, their finishing struggles continued, as they’ve scored just four WSL goals all season.

Leicester City will be thrilled to leave their Midlands rivals with a point, and they have Leitzig to thank for it. In front of 2,490 fans, the bragging rights were put on hold as the match ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw for the home side.

Leitzig denies Villa in frustrating first half

Aston Villa started quickly, testing Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig early and often. The German keeper made a smart save to deny a low, driven shot from Chasity Grant and then kept Ebony Salmon out on two separate occasions after the Villa forward took one too many touches in the box.

As the half wore on, Leicester’s Sam Tierney began to find her footing, dictating play from the center of the park. However, she couldn’t get her teammates to click in the final third, and the Foxes went into the halftime break without registering a single shot on target.

A second half stalemate

Leicester City manager Rick Passmoor was likely hoping his side would get their forwards more involved, but the second half was more of the same. Villa substitute Georgia Mullett came close, heading a brilliant cross from Kirsty Hanson over the bar when she really should have tested the keeper. It took until the 89th minute for Leicester to even register a shot on target, a clear sign they need to work on linking their midfield to their attack.

Leicester now sits ninth in the WSL after keeping their second clean sheet of the season, though their defense was certainly tested. However, the team is now without a WSL away win in 19 matches under four different managers. Fans will surely be eyeing the upcoming fixtures, wondering when that unwanted streak might finally end.

Natalia Arroyo’s side looks more cohesive defensively this season, having achieved three clean sheets in five matches. But their finishing struggles continue. Salmon should have bagged a brace and also missed an opportunity to pass to an unmarked Rachel Daly. It feels like she needs to get a goal soon to restore confidence in getting her shots away sooner. A third draw of the season leaves Villa eighth in the table with six points after five games.

Coming up next

The Women’s League Cup fixtures are up next for both sides, playing on Sunday, 19th October. Leicester travel to the capital to face London City Lionesses first in a 14:00 KO. Villa face Bristol City at Ashton Gate, in a 15:00 kick-off.

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