Everton’s five-game winning home run ended by Aston Villa

Everton’s five-game winning home run ended by Aston Villa Everton’s five-match winning run at Goodison Park has come to an end with Aston Villa running out 3-2 winners on Merseyside this afternoon. Brian Sørensen enjoyed a successful return to his former club as his Aston Villa side secured victory thanks to a brace from Amalie Vangsgaard and a Noelle Maritz goal. It was a dream start for The Villans as they opened the scoring within the first four minutes. Maritz had space around her and she managed to charge through and slot the ball straight past Courtney Brosnan. Everton looked to respond and found themselves through on goal, but Ornella Vignola’s strike wasn’t powerful enough and the ball got swept up by Akane Okuma. Vangsgaard then made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark. Chasity Grant fed the ball through to her and she whipped it into the top corner. Yuka Momiki then delivered a dangerous a free-kick, but her effort was cleared off the line by Aston Villa captain Anna Patten. A Holly McNamara attempt went wide before Aurora Galli’s effort sailed over. Vangsgaard extended Aston Viila’s lead early in the second half. Maritz sent a low delivery into the six-yard box where the Dane was waiting and she prodded the ball into the net. Grant then fired into the side-netting as the visitors searched for a fourth goal before Vangsgaard was denied a hat-trick; her effort towards goal was headed away by Ruby Mace. Momiki had the opportunity to score with an absolute rocket of a shot, but Okuma caught the ball with ease, denying her. McNamara capped her first Everton start with a goal. The Australian tucked the ball neatly past Okuma. Noémie Mouchon’s cross then snuck into the back of the net on the verge of stoppage time, setting up a tense final few minutes. Everton were not able to find a third goal and the visitors left Goodison Park with all three points. This afternoon’s result means that Everton are in seventh place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table while Aston Villa are eighth.