We continued our impressive run against the Midlands side, having now won all 12 of our meetings in the Women’s Super League home and away. Incredibly, Villa’s three goals in this match were more than they had managed in all 11 of their previous games against us combined.

Thankfully, the Blues had their scoring boots on as well, netting four times and registering on the scoresheet for the sixth consecutive game in the WSL. It was the way we fought back from an early disappointment which was most impressive, though, as we took all three points in a league game after conceding the opening goal for the first time in a year, since beating Manchester City in March 2025.

However, we were made to work hard for those three points. Right from the start it was clear this would be a tough challenge, when Aston Villa got the first goal two minutes in.

Playing on the back foot against this Villans side is no easy task, so adept are they at the art of defending deep while launching incisive counter-attacks. That was shown both by the difference in average positions between the two teams, and the fact Villa managed three goals from as many shots on target over the 90 minutes.

But fight back we did. Initially goals by Kerr, Naomi Girma and Lauren James seemed to settled things in our favour, but those dangerous Villa counters told as they levelled the scores at 3-3 by half-time.

Nusken’s timely intervention

The second half was very different from the tumultuous first, almost like a training drill of attack against defence at times, before we finally broke down the visitor’s resistance for Sjoeke Nusken to net an excellent 82nd-minute winner.

James and Nusken both stood out with important contributions, getting a goal and an assist each, coming up big in the key moments for Chelsea.

Nusken in particular intervened at crucial moments for the Blues, setting up Kerr’s first-half equaliser to start our fight-back, before netting the late winner herself when their roles were reversed, just when it began to look like we might have to settle for a frustrating draw.

It was an all-action performance from the German international, who made her presence felt at both ends of the pitch, even discounting her goal and assist. The six ball recoveries she made was the joint-highest of any outfield player, while her 28 successful pass in the final third was five more than anyone else.

Lauren was a constant attacking threat for the Blues, with her six shots the joint-highest figure posted by a Chelsea player in the WSL this season. The six chances she created in this game was also her best for a year, since that come-back win over Man City last March.

Those numbers were both the highest in the match. As were her 14 crosses – more than twice as many as anyone else – one of which produced the Girma goal which gave us the lead for the first time in the game.

Kerr back with a bang

Kerr and Ellie Carpenter made a welcome return to the Chelsea line-up against Aston Villa, following their extended international duty during Australia’s run to the final of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on home soil. Their presence was certainly appreciated by their team-mates.

‘It’s so good to have them back,’ said our match winner Nusken. ‘We have such a small squad at the moment because of a lot of injuries, so it’s very good to have them back, especially as they played really good again.

‘They give us confidence on the field. Sam in the box is always there and always dangerous so it’s good to have her back, and Ellie as well is always doing well.’

The striker in particular produced a ruthless performance. Villa’s deep defensive line and massed ranks around their own box meant her space and opportunities were limited, but she certainly made them count.

From just 23 touches of the ball, Kerr managed four shots, two of them on target and one of them producing a goal, as well as her assist for Nusken’s winning strike. Her individual expected goals of 1.01 was also the highest of any player on the pitch. Sam may have had the fewest touches of anyone in either starting XI, but she certainly made them count.

Faultless from Niamh

Another significant return for Chelsea came in the final quarter when Niamh Charles arrived off the bench to replace Alyssa Thompson and make her first appearance of 2026 following injury.

Her 25 minutes on the pitch – including added time – were pretty much faultless, underlining why the England international can be such a reliable and consistent performer for the Blues when fully fit.

With her 22 touches, the full-back didn’t put a foot wrong, completing 100 per cent of her 10 passes, producing two crosses and successfully completing her only attempted dribble. No wonder her return pleased Sonia Bompastor so much.

‘It's really important for many reasons, but the main one being Niamh is an important player for Chelsea,’ our head coach reacted. ‘She's a great player with a lot of quality, I think you could see that.

‘She hasn't played for many months now, but when she came in, she just brought this impact and this energy into the team. So having her back at the moment, the business end of the season, but also a moment where we are facing some injuries, is really important.’