Chelsea Start New WSL Era with 1-0 Win Over Aston Villa
Chelsea kicked off their 2024/25 Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at a sold-out Kingsmeadow. This match marked the beginning of a new era for Chelsea under the leadership of manager Sonia Bompastor, who succeeded Emma Hayes after the latter’s illustrious reign at the club. The game saw Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd score a decisive goal, helping her side secure three points in the season opener.
The Blues, aiming for another successful season, dominated the early proceedings, but it was a tightly contested match as Villa mounted a strong challenge in the second half. Let’s take a closer look at the key moments, the standout players, and what this win means for Chelsea moving forward.
First Half: Chelsea Dominates, Villa Defends
Chelsea came out of the gates with energy and purpose, seeking to make an early statement in their first WSL match under Bompastor’s leadership. The hosts nearly found the back of the net within 90 seconds of the kick-off, when Guro Reiten launched a half-volley from just outside the box, only for the shot to miss the target by inches.
Chelsea continued to press high and force Villa into defensive positions. Reiten, again, tried her luck from range after winning possession back, but the visitors managed to weather the storm. Villa’s defense, led by goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, remained composed despite Chelsea’s relentless pressure.
However, the breakthrough came in the 35th minute, when Swedish winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd collected the ball in midfield. Showing her skill and determination, Kaneryd weaved past Villa’s defense, cut inside from the wing, and unleashed a fierce long-range strike that D’Angelo could do nothing to stop. The ball rocketed into the net, giving the blues the 1-0 lead they had been pushing for.
Second Half: Villa Push for an Equalizer
The second half saw Aston Villa grow into the game, determined to level the score. The visitors’ attacking intentions became clear as they looked to test the blues defense with more regularity. In the 60th minute, Villa’s star forward Rachel Daly came agonizingly close to equalizing. Daly met a cross with a looping header that grazed the top of the crossbar, much to the relief of Chelsea fans in the stands.
Villa continued to apply pressure, and Daly, ever dangerous, had another shot blocked in the box after a well-worked corner routine. Chelsea’s defense, however, stood firm, with players like Jess Carter and Kadeisha Buchanan playing pivotal roles in thwarting Villa’s advances.
As the clock ticked down, Villa had one final push for an equalizer. In the 90th minute, Daly forced a crucial save from Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who reacted quickly to keep out a dangerous header from a corner. D’Angelo, Villa’s goalkeeper, even ventured into Chelsea’s box during stoppage time in a desperate attempt to salvage a point. Her header, though well-placed, was saved by Hampton, ensuring Chelsea held on for the win.
Starting the season with a BIG win! #CFCW pic.twitter.com/beYAW7MXYr
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) September 20, 2024
Standout Performances: Rytting Kaneryd Shines, Daly Threatens
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd: The Swedish international was Chelsea’s standout performer, scoring the decisive goal with a moment of individual brilliance. Her pace, dribbling, and vision caused Villa’s defense problems throughout the first half, and her goal was a testament to her skill and confidence.
Rachel Daly: For Villa, Daly was the biggest threat, creating several dangerous opportunities in the second half. Her ability to get into good scoring positions and her aerial prowess were on display, but she was unlucky not to find the back of the net.
Hannah Hampton: Chelsea’s goalkeeper had a quiet first half but came up with crucial saves late in the game, particularly in stoppage time, to ensure her team kept a clean sheet.
What This Win Means for Chelsea
This victory is significant for the blues, not only because it opens their 2024/25 WSL campaign with three points but also because it marks a successful start to the Sonia Bompastor era. Following Emma Hayes’ departure, there was curiosity about how Chelsea would adjust under new leadership, and Bompastor’s tactical decisions and management of the game proved effective.
The win also extends Chelsea’s perfect WSL record against Aston Villa, making it nine wins from nine meetings between the two sides in the competition. Importantly, the clean sheet underlines Chelsea’s defensive resilience, a factor that will be crucial as they chase another league title.
While the blues showed their attacking threat with Rytting Kaneryd’s goal, there is still room for improvement. The team struggled to convert early chances, and their failure to put the game to bed allowed Villa back into the contest in the second half. Finding more attacking fluency will be a focus for Bompastor in the coming weeks.
Aston Villa’s Resilience and Takeaways
Despite the loss, Villa showed plenty of fight, particularly in the second half. Manager Robert de Pauw will be encouraged by his side’s defensive organization and the attacking chances they created after the interval. Villa will feel unfortunate not to have come away with a point, especially given Daly’s close efforts and their late flurry of chances.
For Villa, the key takeaway will be their ability to compete with a top side like Chelsea. If they can replicate their second-half performance in future matches, Villa will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Conclusion: A Promising Start for Chelsea Under Bompastor
Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa may not have been a dominating performance, but it was an important first step under Sonia Bompastor. With Johanna Rytting Kaneryd delivering the winning goal and the defense holding firm under pressure,the blues can look forward to building momentum in the coming weeks as they aim to retain their WSL crown.
Villa, on the other hand, will take plenty of positives from the game and continue their search for a first-ever WSL win over Chelsea.
