Aston Villa Ladies 4-0 Watford Ladies: Match Report

Aston Villa romped home to a four-nil victory in their first WSL2 match at Villa Park. Despite a fightback from Watford, the quality of the Lionesses was far too much as Villa created chance after chance.

Despite the freezing weather and the drab skies, Bethan Merrick managed to light up the pitch and opened the scoring by smashing a long shot past Watford’s Lucy Gillett. Merrick looked a threat whenever she received the ball and took her chances well, ensuring every defence-splitting pass she delivered created at least a half-chance.

Lucy Shepherd opened the scoring in the second half by rounding the unfortunate Gillett to double Villa’s lead. However, It would be Amy West who delivered Villa’s best moment of attacking play as she completed a dribble that Watford gave her little chance of finishing off. Amy pressed the defenders and picked up the loose ball that was tailing off from her charge, she then whipped across the box and delivered to the waiting Baptiste who struck home.

Jade Richards also deserves a mention for holding steady despite Watford’s press and also for her surging run from the back that almost resulted in a goal. Great play all round.

Villa rounded off the scoring by forcing a unfortunate error that slipped past Watford and into the roof of the net to call it a day on their season at four goals to nil.

Woman of the Match: A great team performance, but it was Bethan Merrick who made things happen. A superb performance.