Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa Women ended their 2022/23 season in style with a 2-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

Goals either side of half-time from Rachel Daly and Alisha Lehmann proved too much for the Gunners in what was an outstanding Villa display.

The result saw Villa cement fifth place in the Barclays WSL, while Daly's 22nd league goal of the campaign saw her clinch the Golden Boot award.

Carla Ward made three changes from the side that started last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool.

Remi Allen, on what would be her final Aston Villa appearance, captained the side.

Meanwhile, Rachel Corsie and Laura Blindkilde Brown recovered from respective injuries to make the starting XI.

Arsenal had the better of the opening 30 minutes and went close through Stina Blackstenius early on.

The forward’s flick from close range looked destined for the back of the net but somehow missed the target.

Villa didn’t venture into the final third with much frequency during the first half but did create a half-chance when Maz Pacheco’s centre was hacked away by a red shirt.

The hosts then went close to opening the scoring on 37 minutes, but Hannah Hampton saved well from Frida Maanum.

It would be Villa, though, who would draw first blood.

Following a corner from the left-hand side, the ball bounced around in the six-yard area before Daly slammed home her 22^nd league goal to hand Villa a half-time advantage.

Villa wasted no time in adding to their lead straight after the break as Lehmann bagged her ___ of the season.

Kirsty Hanson drove down the left-hand side, and Alisha was on-hand to slot home at the back post.

Hanson almost got herself on the scoresheet moments later, but her long-range attempt was saved.

Arsenal went in immediate search of a route back into the game when Jodie Taylor’s glancing effort went just wide.

Daly then blasted over the bar at the other end as the game became a frantic one.

Simone Magill, moments after entering the fray, then hit a first-time effort over the bar as Villa looked dangerous with every attack.

Villa would go on to see out nine minutes of injury time to clinch a season-defining victory which caps a campaign full of highs.