Arsenal Women 3-0 Aston Villa
by Layth Yousif
at Meadow Park

ARSENAL WOMEN beat Aston Villa 3-0 on a night when Jordan Nobbs returned to a heroes’ reception at Meadow Park.

Frida Maanum grabbed a brace, prior to Caitlin Foord sealing a deserved victory for Jonas Eidevall’s side on Thursday evening. 

In front of a very respectable crowd of 2,959 at Boreham Wood on a cold evening, the Gunners earned a home Continental League Cup semi-final tie against holders Manchester City.

The lively Maanun opened the scoring with a fine low strike from 15 yards on the half hour mark.

The home side were in commanding form, with captain Kim Little forcing one of the saves of the season from Villa keeper Hannah Hampton shortly before the interval. 

However, Arsenal could not be denied five minutes after the break, when Maanun doubled the lead with an emphatic shot. Such was the power, one felt it was to be a goal from the moment the ball was fired from right foot.

2-0 became 3-0 when the influential Maanum got an assist, playing a pass to Foord, who added a third goal with a cool finish on the hour mark. 

While Villa’s side were comprehensively outplayed, former Arsenal midfielder Nobbs was given a rousing ovation, first when she was awarded a silver cannon before kick-off, and also when she was subbed off with moments left to play, as the crowd honoured her 12 years’ loyal service. 

The last-four clash with City will be held on February 8 or 9.