Today Tottenham host Aston Villa on matchday nine in the Women’s Super League. Both teams currently sit on six points in the table, with Villa just above Spurs on goal difference.
Tottenham will be in high spirits after defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 last Sunday, the match also saw US Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan score her first goal for the club through a late penalty, so all eyes will be on her in today’s fixture.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of league leaders Manchester United. Despite the loss, manager Gemma Davies took the positives from the day, in a post match interview she said: “You haven’t seen the best of this group yet.”
Emillia Hawkins takes you through all the action as it happens.
Team News:
Tottenham starting XI: Becky Spencer, Shelina Zadorsky, Kerys Harrop (c), Ria Percival, Alex Morgan, Angela Addison, Kit Graham, Alanna Kennedy, Rosella Ayane, Hannah Godfrey, Ashleigh Neville.
Aston Villa starting XI: Lisa Weiss, Asmita Ale, Elisha N’Dow, Natalie Haigh, Caroline Siems, Marisa Ewers (c), Anita Asante, Nadine Hanssen, Ramona Petzelberger, Shania Hayles, Emma Follis.
Kick Off:
1′ Tottenham find themselves in the Aston Villa penalty area very early on in the game as the ball is crossed into Alex Morgan, who tries to lay it off but it is cut out by Natalie Haigh.
3′ Aston Villa are beginning to press the Spurs back line as the ball finds Marisa Ewers on the edge of the penalty area, but her shot flies well over the crossbar.
6′ It’s Villa who claim the first shot on target as Nadine Hanssen attempts a shot from long range, however her effort is comfortably saved by Becky Spencer in goal.
12′ Penalty to Tottenham as Alex Morgan drives towards goal, but she is caught by Lisa Weiss. The referee was in no doubt there about that decision, a clear penalty.
13′ GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM: Morgan steps up to take the penalty and smashes it into the bottom right corner to claim her second Spurs goal.
Tottenham 1-0 Aston Villa
20′ Villa are desperately trying to level this game, but are really struggling to break through the Tottenham defence. Spurs have the majority of their players behind the ball, it’s clear that they really want to keep the clean sheet.
23′ Ashleigh Neville sends the ball into the box, Weiss comes away from her goal-line and attempts to catch but spills it. The Villa keeper is looking quite shaky in this first half and must be careful as she has already been booked for the foul or Morgan which gave away the penalty.
24′ GOAL FOR ASTON VILLA: Hanssen receives the ball in the centre of Tottenham’s half, takes it out of her feet and lobs the goalkeeper from long range. A superb goal from the midfielder to deservedly get Villa back into the game.
Tottenham 1-1 Aston Villa
34′ The last 10 minutes have been rather quiet with neither team seeing many chances on goal since Hanssen’s equaliser.
35′ Tottenham come agonisingly close to scoring as Morgan sends a low driven cross into the box, Angela Addison attempts to convert it but it is just beyond her reach. The score is still level.
36′ GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM: Morgan sends another low cross into the box and the ball appears to deflect off of Caroline Siems and into the goal. Weiss is injured in the process and goes down holding her head, however she is able to continue.
Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa
40′ This game is turning into quite a feisty one as both teams are giving away fouls all over the pitch, frustrations are starting to mount for Villa as they desperately try to level the game once again.
45′ The fourth official indicates that there will be three minutes of added time. Aston Villa continue to press in a bid to equalise the score once again.
Half Time: Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa
A very competitive 45 minutes sees Tottenham in pole position to take all three points. Aston Villa are still very much in this game, but will have to press even harder in order to break through this strong Spurs defence.
Embed from Getty ImagesSubstitution for Aston Villa as Shania Hayles makes way for Diana Silva.
Substitution for Tottenham as Kit Graham replaces Rachel Williams
Kick Off:
50′ After a slow opening five minutes Aston Villa have a corner, the ball is crossed into the box but is punched away by Becky Spencer. Tottenham attempt to counter attack but nothing comes of the opportunity.
55′ Elisha N’Dow finds herself in acres of space along the right side of the pitch, she crosses the ball into a dangerous area but none of her teammates are on the end of it. Aston Villa continue to push forward, but Tottenham are absorbing the pressure well.
55′ Substitution for Aston Villa as Jodie Hutton replaces Emma Follis.
59′ Alanna Kennedy wins the ball in Villa’s half, she attempts to put the ball through to Morgan, but her pass is way too heavy and heads out for a goal kick.
Embed from Getty Images60′ Tottenham appeal for a penalty as Addison is taken down in the penalty area. The referee signals for play to continue and the Spurs players are furious.
63′ GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM: Ria Percival crosses the ball into the box, it finds the feet of Rosella Ayane who shoots towards goal, the ball takes a massive deflection off of Haigh and flies past Weiss into the back of the net.
Tottenham 3-1 Aston Villa
66′ Substitution for Aston Villa as Anita Asante makes way for Emily Same.
70′ Spurs come close to extending their lead once again as a corner is sent into the box, it eventually falls to Ayane whose low driven shot goes wide of the left post. Villa are really going to have to create something special if they are to get something from this game now.
74′ Substitution for Tottenham as goalscorer Rosella Ayane makes way for Jessica Naz.
78′ It’s all Tottenham at the moment as they break away once again, this time Morgan drives down the left before sending a floating cross into the box, however the ball heads out for a goal kick. It’s looking increasing likely that the home team will take all of the points from this game.
81′ Substitution for Tottenham as Lucy Quinn comes on to replace Angela Addison.
86′ Tottenham have looked increasing comfortable since their third goal, however Villa have not lost hope and still look energetic on the ball as we head into the final minutes of the game.
Embed from Getty Images90′ The fourth official has indicated that there will be an additional 3 minutes of additional time. Tottenham retain possession in Aston Villa’s half and look to hold the ball in the corner for as long as possible.
Full Time: Tottenham 3-1 Aston Villa
Tottenham win their second consecutive WSL match to secure all of the points in this clash between two teams at the bottom of the table. Goals from Alex Morgan, and Rosella Ayane (as well as an own goal by Caroline Siems) have boosted Spurs up to eighth in the table. Tottenham now face a huge challenge against a very experienced Chelsea squad in next week’s London derby, meanwhile Aston Villa will look to climb back up the table by taking the points from their clash against West Ham.
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