Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea: Sam Kerr bags second half winner as Blues advance to Women’s FA Cup final
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea: Sam Kerr snatches second-half winner for the Blues as holders advance into Women’s FA Cup semi-finals to set up showdown with Manchester United next month
- Chelsea are in the final of the FA Cup for women after a 1-0 win over Aston Villa
- Sam Kerr scored the only goal of the match in an efficient performance
- Emma Hayes’ Blues will face Manchester United in the final next month
Sam Kerr barely had sight of the target for the better part of an hour. But as Chelsea and opponents know all too well, she only needs one chance.
With Guro Reiten’s cross hanging in the air, Kerr drifted away from Maz Pacheco to the back post before heading the ball past Hannah Hampton.
That was all it took to book Chelsea’s place at Wembley for a third successive FA Cup final and end Aston Villa’s dream of making history.
Chelsea’s finish, defense and performance was efficient rather than exciting. That’s been the story for a big part of their season.
Injuries to Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder have affected the way they played for much of the campaign, but they have enough experience to cross the line in these sorts of games.
Sam Kerr scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Chelsea beat Aston Villa
The win takes Emma Hayes’ side to a third successive FA Cup final
Harder was back on the bench today and her return to fitness could be crucial in the run-up.
They also coped admirably without Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan, though Villa came agonizingly close to a late equaliser, with Sarah Mayling hitting the post with a shot from just inside the box.
Villa made a lot of progress under Carla Ward, but in the end this proved to be a step too far.
“I’m heartbroken for the players tonight, I thought we were excellent today,” said Ward.
“I thought we were the better team in 90 minutes. I said to the players, if we can go out there, leave everything out there and do everything we’ve asked them to do, then we’ll be happy and if the best team wins, the best team wins. But I don’t think the best team won today.’
They face Manchester United next month and will be chasing a fifth league win
Villa did not let the Blues miss many opportunities, but in the end could not put them off
Chances were scarce in a tight first half. Lauren James fizzed a shot just wide of the right post before Rachel Daly went close to Villa at the other end. The best chance of the half was for Eve Perisset, but the defender could only volley over the crossbar from close range.
After missing a big chance before the break, Chelsea opened the scoring almost 15 seconds into the break, with Jelena Cankovic sending a half-volley against the crossbar.
But Cankovic was involved when the Blues made the breakthrough. The midfielder played two quick passes with Reiten, who sent home a hanging cross for Kerr.
Villa almost forced extra time when Mayling hit the post, but Chelsea held on to set up a thrilling final against Manchester United on May 14.
