A disallowed goal for Aston Villa, a wonder strike from Evelina Summanen and a commanding debut performance from Eleanor Heeps ensured Tottenham took the victory in the second group stage game of the Women’s League Cup to go top of the Group E table.
For her first appearance in Spurs colours, Heeps’ first moment of action came within the first five minutes, where Noelle Maritz’s cross reached Kenza Dali inside the box but she couldn’t properly connect with her shot and her low effort was easily collected by the debutant stopper.
Down the other end of the pitch, Bethany England created an attempt from a long range but Villa’s stopper, Sabrina D’Angelo, was equal to the effort there and made sure the chance was not converted.
In a game of few opportunities, Miri Taylor’s cross struck the woodwork after evading those inside the box just prior to the half hour mark.
Two minutes before half-time arrived, Spurs skipper, England, had a great chance to open the scoring. A cross from Hayley Raso found the forward and sent a first-time effort goal-bound but D’Angelo was able to keep the chance out, despite originally diving in the other direction.
Shortly after, the Villains also had a chance to break the deadlock between the sides. On the cusp of the break, Dali regained possession within the final third before squaring it to Ebony Salmon. However, her attempt was high of the target.
Half-Time: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Aston Villa
Just four minutes after the restart, the away side had found the back of the net when a pull-back from Katie Robinson was tapped into the back of the net by Adriana Leon but the flag was raised for offside.
Despite a fairly quiet opening to the second half, a spark of action changed the game as Summanen produced a wonder strike to put the Lilywhites in the lead. A throw in from Jess Naz was received by Summanen who sent an unbelievable strike from around 40 yards out into the top right corner of the net, leaving D’Angelo without a chance.
The energy continued from the hosts as they searched to double their lead very soon after. Raso was denied twice by Villa’s shotstopper aswell as a header from Ella Morris landing on top of the netting.
The away side also got stuck in on the action where Kirsty Hanson took control of loose bouncing ball. Instead of meeting the target, her half-volley was sent wide of the post.
Around the 71st minute, Dali hoped to equalise with an attempt from distance, but her chance was instead collected by Heeps.
Captain England created a powerful shot from the edge of the box to force D’Angelo into a save once again.
In injury time, Villa ramped up the pressure from their side forcing plenty of corners, but Spurs held on to claim the victory to send them top of the group, aswell as grabbing their first win in three games.
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Heeps, Morris, Bartrip, James-Turner, Nilden, Summanen, Csiki, Naz (Vinberg 81’), Thomas, Raso (Neville 89’), England (c).
Substitutes (not used): Spencer, Talbert, Grant, Hunt, Wang, Dennis, Gunning-Williams.
Aston Villa XI: D'Angelo, Maritz, Patten, Turner (Nunes 85’), Pacheco (Tomas 74’), Taylor, Bo Kearns (c), Dali, Robinson (Grant 74’), Salmon (Daly 84’), Leon (Hanson 74’).
Substitutes (not used): Poor, Mayling, Staniforth, Nobbs.
Goalscores: Summanen 60’
Booked: Nilden 54.
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