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| Martina Piemonte of Everton in action during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Everton FC and Aston Villa at Walton Hall Park on March 16, 2024 in Liverpool, England. |
Aston Villa were held at bay by Everton for almost an hour before they scored two goals in quick succession. The away side secured their third consecutive victory away to Everton, but they were made to work for it after Elise Stenevik reduced the deficit to a single goal, only for the Norwegian to be sent off in added time after she was given a second yellow.
Aston Villa held on for a 2-1 win at Everton in the Women's Super League as the home side were reduced to 10 players after Elise Stenevik received a late red card.
The two sides had met twice already this season, with Everton winning 3-0 at Villa in the FA Cup in January, and in November, Everton were 2-1 winners at Villa Park.
Everton went close early on when Hanna Bennison shot from distance, but Anna Leat was down smartly to save the first shot on target of the match.
The deadlock was broken in the second half when Kenza Dali played a one-two with Adriana Leon, finishing low past Courtney Brosnan in the Everton goal on 55 minutes.
The strike was Dali’s first league goal of the season, and soon Villa were two ahead when Ebony Salmon headed in Jordan Nobbs’ cross.
That goal put Villa on course for their third consecutive win at Walton Hall Park, with neither side facing a serious threat of going down, but a strong finish in the league could help one or both sides crack the top half of the WSL.
Everton started to chase the game and Leon went close, just missing the far post, and Stenevik was then booked for pulling at Leon’s shirt.
Then, with six minutes of normal time remaining, Aurora Galli sent in a free kick that Stenevik nodded in, beating Leat to the ball to halve the deficit.
Stenevik concluded a frantic period for herself as she received a second yellow on 96 minutes for a dangerous tackle, 30 seconds before the full-time whistle went.
The win puts Aston Villa in seventh on 19 points, while Everton are in 10th, eight points clear of Bristol City in the relegation zone.