Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa Women lost a third successive game in heartbreaking circumstances on Sunday.

Sam Kerr scored in stoppage time for Chelsea to break the deadlock, and Villa’s resistance, and edge the Blues closer to Arsenal in the WSL title race.

The result leave Villa without a point, and a goal, since February’s victory at Everton.

Carla Ward made just one change from the side that suffered back-to-back defeats against Everton and Brighton last week.

Alisha Lehmann filled the centre forward position vacated by Emily Gielnik, with Chloe Arthur starting on the right wing.

Chelsea enjoyed much of the ball in the opening exchanges without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

Guro Reiten came closest to manufacturing a chance but Sarah Mayling flung herself in front of the Norwegian international to produce a superb block inside the area.

Villa went into half-time level but saw a more determined Chelsea side at the start of the second period.

Hannah Hampton denied Sam Kerr spectacularly, before palming away Sophie Ingle’s volley moments later to keep the score at 0-0.

While Villa’s primary concern was to keep the ball out of their own net, they still believed they could nick one at the other end.

That almost became a reality when Remi Allen clipped the outside of the Chelsea post from the edge of the area.

Hampton and co. continued to thwart Chelsea’s attackers as time ticked away, but when six minutes were added on there was a feeling of dread in the air.

Those fears were confirmed when Kerr raced onto a long ball before clipping the ball beyond Hampton to break Villa’s hearts amidst jubilant scenes.

Villa now have the next couple of weeks to regroup and refocus ahead of a home clash against Reading.