Key Points
- Aston Villa secured their first WSL win of the season by defeating West Ham United 2-0 at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
- Two goals from Kirsty Hanson (60th minute) and Lynn Wilms (67th minute) sealed the victory in the second half.
- West Ham created multiple scoring chances but failed to convert, with notable opportunities from Ffion Morgan, Shekiera Martinez, and Viviane Asseyi.
- Villa nearly added a third goal with a shot hitting the post from Chasity Grant inside the last 20 minutes.
- A strong defensive and goalkeeping performance from Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo helped maintain the clean sheet.
- The defeat extends West Ham’s winless run to seven games in the WSL, leaving them at the bottom of the league standings.
- The match was played in challenging blustery conditions affecting ground play.
- West Ham United’s head coach Rehanne Skinner was left frustrated by missed opportunities from her side.
- Aston Villa manager Natalia Arroyo’s team showed resilience after a slow start to the season.
- Attendance recorded was 1,286 at the East London venue.
What happened in the West Ham vs Aston Villa WSL match?
As reported by West Ham United’s official site, two goals in a seven-minute spell during the second half condemned the host side to a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Kirsty Hanson opened the scoring with a curling strike into the top-left corner in the 60th minute, followed by Lynn Wilms scoring from a well-executed free kick on the edge of the box in the 67th minute.
Despite West Ham having a greater share of possession and creating several promising chances throughout the match, they were unable to find the net. Players such as Ffion Morgan, Shekiera Martinez, and Viviane Asseyi came close to scoring, but either missed narrowly or were thwarted by Villa’s defence and keeper Sabrina D’Angelo.
How did the match conditions affect the game?
The game was played in blustery conditions that made it difficult for both teams to keep the ball on the ground and build sustained attacks. Early in the match, West Ham’s Eva Nyström was caught out by a misdirected pass which led to an early chance for Kendall Hanson, demonstrating how the windy conditions influenced passing accuracy.
How did both teams perform tactically and physically?
West Ham, led by Rehanne Skinner, showed determination and fought hard with a noticeable increase in confidence during the first half as the game progressed. Their midfield presence, especially Viviane Asseyi’s persistence, helped fashion chances including a teasing cross picked out by Mana Endo for Asseyi, though their finishing let them down.
Aston Villa, managed by Natalia Arroyo, capitalised on their chances efficiently and defended resolutely. The Villa defence, led by goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, was solid; D’Angelo made several key saves including a double save late in the game to deny West Ham’s Katrina Gorry and Riko Ueki. Chasity Grant nearly extended the lead with a shot that hit the post in the 70th minute.
What is the significance of this result for both teams?
This victory was Aston Villa’s first win in the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League season, ending their wait for points after several matches without success. It places Villa 10th in the league standings with 3 points from 4 games, providing momentum for the team under coach Natalia Arroyo who oversaw a mid-season turnaround last campaign.
Conversely, the defeat leaves West Ham languishing at the bottom of the table with no points from 4 league matches, extending their winless run to seven games across all competitions. Manager Rehanne Skinner will be keen to address the side’s finishing struggles as they search for their first victory of the season.
Who were the key players and tactical changes?
West Ham’s lineup featured goalkeeper Kinga Szemik, defenders Mana Endo and Eva Nyström, captain Katrina Gorry, and attackers including Morgan, Asseyi, Ueki, and Martinez. Substitutions included Piubel and Wandeler late in the game, though these changes did not alter the outcome.
Aston Villa deployed players such as Hanson and Wilms, who scored the goals, alongside captain Rachel Daly and goalkeeper D’Angelo, whose performance was pivotal. Defensive substitutions occurred, including Taylor and Mullett to shore up the defence late in the match.
What were the match statistics and officials?
The referee for the match was Grace Lowe, and the attendance stood at 1,286 spectators in East London. West Ham were penalised with yellow cards for Siren and Asseyi, while Kendall received a booking for Aston Villa.
What reactions have come from the clubs or managers?
West Ham United’s official post-match report highlighted the frustration of missed chances and the impact of the two quick Villa goals. The club emphasised the hard work and team spirit demonstrated despite the loss.
Aston Villa’s season review and recent performance narrative credit Natalia Arroyo for steadying the team and achieving their first points of the season with an effective, disciplined display.
How does this match fit into the context of the WSL season so far?
Aston Villa’s win adds critical points as they strive to improve their mid-table position after narrowly missing their best-ever fifth place finish last season. West Ham’s continued struggles highlight their battle against relegation, requiring urgent improvement in attack and efficiency to avoid finishing bottom.
