We recovered emphatically from going behind early to make it three wins in eight days courtesy of a 4-1 success at Villa Park on Sunday - our 200th match in the Women's Super League.
Jonas Eidevall praised Aston Villa heavily in the lead-up to our final Women’s Super League match of 2022 - and they struck first when Kirsty Hanson finished an early flowing move.
We reacted well though and drew level just before the half hour through Rachel Corsie’s own goal, before Vivianne Miedema gave us the lead going into the break with a typically clinical close-range finish.
Katie McCabe and second-half substitute Jordan Nobbs made sure of the win after the restart - taking us level on points with Chelsea at the top of the WSL ahead of the Blues’ meeting with Reading in the late kick-off.
Despite an energetic opening from the hosts, we created the first chance of note. Lia Walti snapped into a tackle inside our half before feeding Miedema, who embarked on a fine solo run before stinging Hannah Hampton’s palms.
We went close from the resulting corner, with Rafaelle nodding over after Hampton had misjudged the flight of the ball.
Seconds later, though, we were behind. Impressive link play between Rachel Daly and Kenza Dali resulted in the latter freeing Hanson, whose powerful shot from the edge of the area found the far corner.
We were straight back on the front foot after the early setback and almost went level when brilliant build-up play from Miedema created a chance for Caitlin Foord, who shot over.
Both sides continued to threaten in an entertaining opening - McCabe’s 25-yard free-kick flew inches over at one end, Laura Blindkilde’s cross rattled our crossbar at the other.
Having gone close to an equaliser, McCabe was instrumental in our equaliser. Our captain for the day was involved in neat interplay around the Villa box before seeing her low cross diverted just over the line following a double deflection, with Corsie getting the final touch.
Soon after, we were in front. Hampton could only punch a corner out to Miedema, who volleyed home from eight yards.
Stina Blackstenius went close with a header as we continued to look dangerous before the break.
We didn't have to wait too long to extend our lead after half-time - McCabe firing home from close range after Steph Catley’s cross was touched into her path by Hampton.
Carla Ward sent on Emily Gielnik as Villa searched for a route back into the game - but we continued to look the more threatening and almost extended our lead further when Blackstenius’ looping header from Williamson’s deep cross was hacked off the line.
We added gloss to the scoreline late on - Foord driving towards goal before squaring to substitute Nobbs, who finished emphatically from close range to put the seal on a convincing display.
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