Everton 0-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa Women extended their unbeaten run to five games on Sunday afternoon as they beat Everton 2-0 at Walton Hall Park.

Kenza Dali opened the scoring inside five minutes, before Megan Finnigan turned into her own net 25 minutes from time.

Carla Ward named an unchanged side from the one that started last weekend’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup tie with West Ham United.

Hannah Hampton, fresh from converting a spot-kick in the penalty shootout against the Hammers, retained her place between the sticks.

Rachel Corsie led a defensive unit that also featured Sarah Mayling, Dan Turner and Maz Pacheco.

Rachel Daly, a player who also found the net last time out, spearheaded Villa’s attack with Kirsty Hanson and Alisha Lehmann in support.

Villa made a bright start to the game and threatened to take an early lead when Kirsty Hanson flashed an effort wide from inside the area.

Their very next attack would result in the opening goal, however.

Hanson burst down the left-hand side before crossing the ball in for Daly, and the striker laid the ball off for Dali who drilled home from the edge of the area.

Everton responded to Villa’s early dominance and grew into the first half as it went on.

Jess Park had a couple of long-range efforts on target, but neither seriously tested Hampton.

Jordan Nobbs, who was recently awarded the league’s Player of the Month award, then sent a well-struck effort towards goal but the attempt was stopped.

Villa would go into the break with a one-goal lead, but Everton looked determined to get back on level terms once the second half got underway.

Park, proving to be a threat throughout, fizzed a shot just over the bar from the edge of the box.

But it was Villa who would crucially get the next goal of the game.

Pacheco’s cross from the left-hand side was diverted into the Toffees net by Megan Finnigan to cue jubilant scenes as Villa closed in on victory.

With the win all but secured, Ward brought on Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruesha Littlejohn 15 minutes from time.

Villa could have added to their lead in the closing stages as both Dali and Daly missed narrowly, but Ward’s side closed out an eventually comfortable victory at Walton Hall Park.

The result sees us consolidate our position in fifth place, with another trip to West Ham United to come next time out.