Thomas hat-trick gives 'brave' Spurs win at Villa

Summer signing Martha Thomas took her Women's Super League tally to six goals as Tottenham moved top of the Women's Super League

Women's Super League top scorer Martha Thomas scored an exquisite hat-trick as Tottenham moved top of the table and condemned Aston Villa to four league defeats out of four this season.

Ashleigh Neville then headed the visitors in front at Bescot Stadium on the stroke of half-time from Jessica Naz's arrowed cross.

Thomas personified Spurs' confidence by striking twice with fine goals from the edge of the box after the break, ensuring they moved two points clear of Manchester City, Leicester City and Chelsea, with a third consecutive win.

Spurs will spend at least 24 hours at the summit if Leicester and City draw at King Power Stadium in the only other WSL game on Saturday, although reigning champions Chelsea also have the chance to overtake them when they host Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

Follow live updates and reaction from Saturday's action in the Women's Super League

Villa, who scored a second when Lucy Parker nodded her first goal for the club in second-half added time, remain second-bottom because Bristol City, who are also without a point, have an inferior goal difference.

Carla Ward's side return to action when they host Chelsea on 4 November, while Spurs are at home to Everton the following day.

Thomas takes Tottenham top

Striker Thomas has had a prolific start to life at Tottenham since joining from Manchester United in September, and her audacious opener from well outside the box was a splendid way to become the outright top scorer in the WSL.

Just as she did at Brighton six days earlier, the 27-year-old levelled after Spurs had conceded an early goal - and her tenacity and willing running also helped them pose a persistent threat, coupled with her two other finishes to put this contest to bed.

Villa have more anguish to add to their painful late defeats in their opening game at home to Manchester United, when they went ahead in the 76th minute, and at Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal scored in the 92nd and 94th minutes.

Tipped to challenge for a top-four spot by some before the start of the season, Villa's third spurning of a lead this term came after Eveliina Summanen's late challenge on Adriana Leon allowed Daly to convert from the spot.

Leon and Ebony Salmon looked electric at times on the flanks, regularly beating their markers to cause the visitors problems.

Salmon's curling shot was tipped behind by goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar as Villa pressed for a second early on, but their failure to turn momentum into goals proved costly and they could not hold off an irresistible attacking display from their opponents - especially Thomas.

Villa, who also lost 2-0 at Liverpool, will now hope that Bristol City cannot surprise Arsenal at home on Sunday.

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