Chelsea got off to a winning start in the 2024/25 WSL season with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. The match marked Sonia Bampastor’s first competitive game as the new manager of Chelsea, and it ended in triumph for the Blues at a sold-out Kingsmeadow on Friday night. On the other hand, Villa’s new manager Robert de Pauw suffered defeat in his first game in charge.
This win extends Chelsea’s perfect record against Villa in the WSL to nine wins out of nine games. The hosts came close to taking an early lead when Guro Reiten had a half-volley that narrowly missed the target. Reiten had another attempt from distance, but once again, it was off target.
Villa had their chances too, with Paula Tomas delivering a dangerous cross that went through the six-yard box and Missy Bo Kearns having her shot cleared off the line. However, ten minutes before halftime, Chelsea broke the deadlock with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd scoring an impressive goal from outside the box.
In the second half, Rachel Daly’s header hit the top of the crossbar as Villa tried to equalize. Deep into stoppage time, Daly forced an incredible save from Hannah Hampton before Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo also made a fine header that was saved by Hampton.
Despite Villa’s late push for an equalizer, Chelsea held on to secure all three points. It was a successful start for Bampastor and her team as they begin life without Emma Hayes at helm.
