Chelsea Edge Aston Villa 4-3 As Nusken Nets Late To Keep Title Hopes Alive

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Chelsea stayed in the Women’s Super League title race after edging Aston Villa 4-3 at Kingsmeadow, with Sjoeke Nusken scoring a late winner. Anything less than victory would have ended Chelsea’s defence of the crown, and Sonia Bompastor’s side held on during a chaotic contest that swung several times.

The game opened at high speed, with Aston Villa ahead inside 100 seconds when Chasity Grant converted from close range. Chelsea responded with three goals in seven minutes, as Sam Kerr levelled, Naomi Girma diverted in a Lauren James cross, and James then drilled a precise shot into the bottom-right corner.

Villa refused to fold, though, and Kirsty Hanson struck twice before half-time to make it 3-3 in a breathless first period. Chelsea then dominated most of the second half, yet Kerr and Alyssa Thompson squandered strong chances before Nusken curled in the decisive effort on 82 minutes past substitute goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, who had replaced the injured Ellie Roebuck.

Chelsea endured one last scare when Anna Patten could not connect cleanly from six yards near full-time. The result moved Bompastor’s team into second place, nine points behind Manchester City with three league matches remaining, keeping slim hopes alive. Elsewhere, West Ham shared a 1-1 draw with London City Lionesses in another tight WSL fixture.

This meeting produced WSL history as it became the first match where both teams scored three first-half goals. All three Aston Villa goals were created by Lynn Wilms, who became the first player to register three assists in a WSL game against Chelsea.

Key numbers from Chelsea vs Aston Villa in the WSL are shown below.

Kerr played a central role for Chelsea, contributing a goal and an assist in the comeback. The Australia forward has now scored eight goals in eight WSL appearances against Aston Villa. James produced another influential display, creating a game-high six chances and recording 96 touches, more than any other player on the pitch in this high-scoring league clash.