Yahoo Sports WSL: Aston Villa and Leicester share points in exciting Midlands derby
Rachel Daly secured a late point for Aston Villa against Leicester City on Saturday. The England international volleyed in a 75th minute equaliser to keep Villa seventh in the Women’s Super League.
The point, which was Leicester City’s only reward in a tough month, sees them move up to eighth in the table.
Starting XIs
Aston Villa
Leat; Patten, Corsie, Lehmann, Nobbs, Daly, Dali, Turner, Salmon, Leon, Maritz
Leicester City
Kop; Tierney, Bott, Howard, Rose, Rantala, Petermann, Cayman, Green, Takarada, Momiki
First half
Aston Villa started brightly as they made use of their wide players and a strong battle ensued between Alisha Lehmann and Leicester’s CJ Bott. Villa took an early lead — the Leicester defence was slow to react to a searching ball played into the six-yard area, and Adriana Leon tapped in from close range.
Villa’s lead was short-lived as the energetic Yuka Momiki equalised two minutes later. The Japanese international wrong-footed defender Anna Patten and goalkeeper Anna Leat to pull the Foxes level at the break.
Second half
Leicester were looking to secure WSL points after three defeats on the bounce. Interim Foxes coach Jennifer Foster sent her team out fired up for the second half. The pressure paid off as Momiki delivered a free-kick in and Sam Tierney met it with a superb glancing header to make it 1-2.
After some contentious refereeing decisions for both sets of fans, it will be Leicester who feel most aggrieved not to take all three points. Daly eventually found an equaliser despite complaints of offside, and the points were shared.
What is next?
Leicester City have had a rocky month and their manager hunt will surely be full steam ahead in the summer. As for now, the team will want to secure a higher finish than 11th they achieved last season. Their next match is the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.
As for Aston Villa, there is no silverware left to play for this season, but they face a tough test away at Chelsea next in the WSL.
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