Aston Villa earn narrow win against Brighton

Aston Villa earned a narrow victory over fellow strugglers Brighton to distance themselves from the Women's Super League relegation fight.

It was a deserved breakthrough for Carla Ward's superior side, who finish for the winter break four points above the bottom two sides West Ham and Bristol City after leapfrogging Brighton into ninth place.

Villa offered by far the greater threat throughout, but Kenza Dali hit the top of the crossbar with an attempt from outside the box and Leon's finish was disallowed for offside in the first half.

Rachel Daly's acrobatic overhead kick was comfortable for Baggaley, who also denied Jordan Nobbs, while Rachel Corsie headed over as the hosts continued to find themselves frustrated in their attempts to end Brighton's resistance.

They were almost punished when Elisabeth Terland hit the woodwork shortly before the interval, but it took until the 78th minute for the 22-year-old to land her side's first shot on target.

Villa were forced to play out the closing stages with 10 players after Mayumi Pacheco received two yellow cards in the final 10 minutes - but Leon's excellent solo goal proved enough to seal three significant points.

Villa remain patient to edge away from trouble

The final WSL match of 2023 offered two sides struggling for form and results an opportunity to finish for the winter break on a positive note.

Aston Villa won half of their matches on their way to finishing fifth last season, yet Ward's side kicked off at Bescot Stadium just one point off the bottom of the table after losing their past two WSL games.

While Villa had suffered seven defeats in their past nine league games, Brighton arrived on a run of just one win in eight.

And the matchday squads suggested both teams are ready for a winter regroup.

The hosts, unable to secure an emergency goalkeeper signing this week, were without a back-up goalkeeper on Sunday evening.

Brighton, meanwhile, named a total of four substitutes.

Villa were far more comfortable in possession throughout but the hosts failed to make their first-half superiority count - the offside Leon's celebrations cut short after she failed to hold her run when following in Daly's saved shot.

At times, it threatened to cost them. Brighton's top scorer Terland may have seen her opportunities limited, but she managed to concern keeper Anna Leat on a couple of occasions as she sought to add to her seven league goals.

But Leon's goal was suitable reward for Villa's efforts - and Ward will be pleased by the patience shown by her players to earn an important victory.

Aston Villa return to WSL action against Leicester on 21 January, with Brighton hosting Bristol City in a key game at the bottom on the same day.