Superb all-around display earns Aston Villa Women 5-2 victory over Arsenal | OneFootball

For anyone who missed it, Aston Villa Women defeated Arsenal in an incredible match. Up 2-0 at the half, Natalia Arroyo's side did something that not many would have expected heading into the matchday. Considering how the game played out, even fewer would have picked to see the fixture unfold how it did in the second half the way it did.

Despite having a comfortable lead, the second 45 minutes were played just like the first set of 45. Aggressive, high-pressure, and looking to force a result was the consistent Villa approach. This wasn't as a result of recklessness either.

In a back three that saw Miri Taylor in the middle of the three CBs, the outside wing-backs did an excellent job of dropping back as needed to cover the flanks. The central midfield engine of Missy Bo Kearns and Jordan Nobbs then worked back as well to ensure the Gunners weren't ever truly able to gain a foothold on the game.

When they had the ball, AVWFC looked as good as anyone else in the WSL. Between their pressing, quick combination passing, and counterplay, Villa created a number of chances. In terms of threatening the goal, even beyond the final 5-2 scoreline, it was always the hosts who bothered the keeper more than the visitors.

With first-half contributions from Nobbs and Kirsty Hanson, Chasity Grant scored her first of two goals only moments into the second half. Then Rachel Daly also got in on the action. Hanson carried the ball in the Arsenal final third and placed a perfectly weighted and timed pass into the path of the attacking midfielder of the day, who slotted it home for a fourth Villa goal.

Villa supporters could see how much it meant to Daly and provided something of a sense of relief as she remained lying down on a pitch for a moment, taking the time to appreciate and collect herself for what has been a frustrating stretch.

Grant linked up with Katie Robinson in some nice combination play. Using her speed, she sealed off the win and a brace for herself. Two notable moments occurred during this match as well. Rachel Maltby made her WSL and senior team debut when she came on for Mayumi Pacheco. And Rachel Corsie was able to once again command the backline as Daly made way for her return from injury.

Managerial masterclass from Aston Villa Women boss

Ultimately, the sign of good coaching is the ability to make adjustments. Arroyo faced the difficult task of facing a tough opponent while both were dealing with significant injuries in their lineups. It was the Spaniard, however, who won the chess match on the day.

Between playing Taylor in the middle of the backline and lining Daly up a little deeper from her usual role, the starting XI gave Villa the immediate advantage. Although Arsenal managed to score their second goal after the string of substitutions, it proved to be enough to recapture the match that was starting to swing in the visitors' favor.

With a well-earned three points, it was always Villa who looked more likely to score a sixth than Arsenal a third. Robinson may have been involved in the build-up during Grant's second goal, but she nearly had one herself, twice, as the dying embers of the match closed on what was a great team performance and victory.