Chelsea hosted Aston Villa in the opening match of the Women’s Super League season at Kingsmeadow to mark the start of a new era for the Blues under Sonia Bompastor. The Blues won the WSL for a fifth consecutive season last campaign under the departing Emma Hayes and Bompastor has big shoes to fill after arriving from Lyon for a new era in the women’s game. The Chelsea squad has also seen several changes, with England international Lucy Bronze the pick of the new signings.
A season of possible transition under Bompastor means Chelsea are likely to face increased competition for the title from Manchester City and Arsenal - who meet at the Emirates on Sunday - so a winning start is vital in a WSL where there is usually little margin for error over the campaign. Villa finished seventh in the WSL last season and have a new manager of their own, with Dutchman Robert de Pauw replacing Carla Ward. The visitors are led by former Lionesses striker Rachel Daly.
The match is live on BBC Two, and you can follow all the latest updates in the live blog below.
A Stunning Strike From Rytting Kaneryd Opens The Scoring
The first half saw a flurry of action from both teams, with Chelsea creating more chances and getting the first goal of the WSL season through a stunning strike from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. The Swedish winger cut inside onto her left foot and bent a brilliant curling effort inside the far corner.
Villa Comes Close In The Second Half
The second half saw Aston Villa come close to an equalizer, with Rachel Daly hitting the bar with a header from the centre of the box. Chelsea scrambled it clear following the header. However, despite a valiant effort from Villa, they couldn't find the back of the net.
Chelsea Holds On For A Convincing Win
The final whistle blew with Chelsea maintaining their lead for a well-deserved victory. The game highlighted the potential for a new era under Bompastor, with Chelsea's new manager proving her mettle in the first game of the season.
What The Future Holds
The first game of the season highlighted that Chelsea will be a force to be reckoned with in the WSL. However, they will face tough competition from Arsenal and Manchester City. The Blues will need to maintain their winning momentum if they hope to defend their title this season. The WSL is shaping up to be an exciting season, with plenty of drama and action in store.
