Arsenal set up a Continental Cup semi final tie with reigning champions Manchester City after running out comfortable 3-0 winners over Aston Villa at Meadow Park on Thursday.
A Frida Maanum brace and Caitlin Foord strike saw the five-time Conti Cup winners into the last four at the expense of a Villa side who were unable to give a better account of themselves due to a number of key absentees.
Injuries and ineligible players meant that Carla Ward fielded a slightly makeshift side, with top scorer Rachel Daly moved to right back and Sarah Mayling filling in at centre half to account for the loss of first choice centre-back pairing Anna Patten and Dan Turner.
It was Arsenal who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, Maanum asking questions of the improvised Villa backline with a bursting run into the box, while Lina Hurtig called Hannah Hampton into action with a curling effort.
The Gunners’ early pressure was rewarded just before the half hour mark, Maanum spinning Laura Blindkilde, jinking her way into the box and firing low past Hampton to continue her fine goal scoring season.
Another Maanum raid down the right saw Rachel Corsie’s headed clearance fall to the feet of Kim Little, whose venomous volley forced a stunning stretching save from Hampton.
Lotte Wubben-Moy headed narrowly over after being found by Katie McCabe as Arsenal pushed for a second before the break, but their advantage remained a single goal with Villa still very much in the contest.
Five minutes into the second half, Maanum doubled her and Arsenal’s tally for the evening. Caitlin Foord robbed Daly deep in the Villa half, and Maanum spectacularly curled the ball into the top corner.
The duo combined again as Arsenal added a third on the hour mark, Maanum feeding Foord with a threaded pass, and the Australian forward finishing coolly.
Kathrine Kuhl picked out fellow debutant Victoria Pelova with a perfectly-weighted through ball following the introduction of the two new signings for the final 23 minutes, but Hampton denied the Dutch international with a strong palmed save to keep the scoreline to three.
GK: Sabrina D’Angelo – 6/10 – Making her Arsenal debut, got down low to save from Hanson at her near post and was ice cool playing out from the back when under pressure from two Villa players in the first half.
RB: Noelle Maritz – 6/10 – Beaten by Hanson on a couple of occasions but otherwise typically solid.
CB: Lotte…
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