A double from Alessia Russo helped us clinch an impressive 3-0 victory against Aston Villa in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Russo’s 21st goal of the campaign opened the scoring within five minutes at Villa Park before our forward turned provider for Frida Maanum with a fine assist for the Norwegian’s 50th goal in Arsenal colours.
Maanum then assisted Russo early in the second half to help secure at least a qualifying position in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League. The win also moves us to within a point of Chelsea in second place.
FIRST HALF
After playing full-back at Brighton in midweek, Smilla Holmberg was pushed forward into the attack by Renee Slegers, a move which paid off almost immediately.
The Swede was able to beat Rachel Maltby with ease before standing up a cross to Russo within the first three minutes, but her effort was blocked well.
But we would not be denied two minutes later as Holmberg’s cross wasn’t dealt with by Sabrina D’Angelo, falling into the path of Russo who headed home her 10th league goal of the campaign, with Noelle Martiz unable to clear her goalbound effort.
There was plenty of space for our attackers in the opening 10 minutes at Villa Park. Olivia Smith won the ball back well before squaring to Frida Maanum, who found Russo in space, but she couldn’t get her shot away.
Despite playing less than 72 hours ago, Renée’s side looked the fresher of the sides. A wicked cross from Russo eventually found its way to Holmberg at the back post as our January signing prodded just wide.
It took until the 20th minute for the hosts to register their first chance of the contest as Ebony Salmon rose highest at the back post straight into the gloves of Anneke Borbe.
After netting a goal earlier in the half, Russo then picked up an assist with a sensational outside of the boot flick into the path of Maanum, who slotted home her half-century of goals for the Gunners.
A minute later, we were through again as Taylor Hinds slipped in Smith. The Canadian was able to get her shot away but found D’Angelo in her way.
Maanum could’ve added her second of the afternoon before half-time as she met Holmberg’s set-piece delivery, only to find an inspired D’Angelo in the way once more.
SECOND HALF
The connection between Russo and Maanum continued to flourish into the second half as we added a third of the game.
Mariona Caldentey started the move, picking up Hinds down the left wing. The full-back then found Maanum who was able to slip through Russo, and the England forward made no mistake, rounding D’Angleo and slotting home in front of our travelling support.
Renée then changed things up, bringing on birthday girl Beth Mead and forward Stina Blackstenius for goalscorer Russo and Holmberg. Blackstenius almost made an immediate impact after getting on the end of a slick team move but could only find the palms of D’Angelo.
We sensed goals and almost had another, this time from a set piece as the ball found its way to Smith just inside the box. The attacker was able to control the ball and ping a shot, which looked to be heading for the top corner, but for the head of Miri Taylor, who deflected it over the bar.
Slegers shuffled the pack once again, as Victoria Pelova came on for Kim Litte. The midfielder got into the action quickly, finding space on the edge of the box where her effort was well-saved by the Villa stopper.
We created more than 20 chances during the contest, with Blackstenius the latest to be played through. The Swede found space in the box but could only curl her effort narrowly over the bar.
While creating plenty going forward, our centre-back pairing of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina kept Villa chances to a minimum as we collected our tenth clean sheet in the league this season.
There was time for one final chance as Hinds almost grabbed her first goal in Arsneal colours, driving a low effort from close range only to be denied by D’Angelo.
WHAT’S NEXT
Our busy end to the season continues on Wednesday, May 13, with our final home game of the season, hosting Everton at Emirates Stadium at 7pm (UK time). Join us for Wednesday’s 7pm kick-off for one last time in N5 this season!
We then finish off the 2025/26 season with a trip to Liverpool on Saturday, May 16, taking place at Anfield at 1pm (UK time).
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