Chelsea edge Aston Villa in seven-goal thriller as Nusken seals dramatic victory

Posted : 29 March 2026

Chelsea moved up to second place in the Women's Super league after overcoming Aston Villa in a chaotic seven-goal encounter on Sunday. Sjoeke Nusken proved to be the hero for the Blues by curling home a spectacular winner in the 82nd minute. The result keeps Chelsea’s Champions League qualification hopes firmly in their own hands during a tense end to the campaign.

The match began at a frantic pace as Aston Villa stunned the home crowd after only two minutes. Following a misplaced pass from Lucy Bronze, Lynn Wilms delivered a precise cross that Chasity Grant swept into the net. This early setback forced the defending champions to respond under significant pressure at Kingsmeadow.

A remarkable fifteen-minute period saw the game turn on its head as five goals were scored in quick succession. Sam Kerr initiated the comeback in the 20th minute by latching onto a Nusken pass to beat keeper Ellie Roebuck. Just three minutes later, Naomi Girma headed home a Lauren James cross to give Chelsea the lead for the first time.

The advantage was extended when Lauren James fired a powerful 25-yard strike into the bottom corner in the 27th minute. However, Aston Villa refused to surrender and fought back through the clinical finishing of Kirsty Hanson. Assisted again by Wilms, Hanson netted twice in four minutes to bring the sides level at 3-3 before the halftime whistle.

The second half was a more disciplined affair, though both sides had clear opportunities to take the lead. Hanson nearly secured a hat-trick when her thunderous long-range effort struck the post and stayed out. Chelsea gradually increased the pressure as the clock ticked down, looking for the decisive breakthrough against a resilient Villa defense.

The winning moment arrived eight minutes from time when Kerr turned provider for Nusken on the edge of the area. Nusken expertly bent a first-time shot into the far corner to spark wild celebrations among the home supporters. Despite a late scare involving Villa defender Anna Patten, Chelsea held firm to secure all three points in a classic WSL match.

This victory lifts Chelsea into the top two and maintains their slim mathematical hopes of retaining the league title. For Aston Villa, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow after a spirited performance led by Lynn Wilms’ hat-trick of assists. The Blues now turn their focus to the remaining fixtures as the race for European spots intensifies.

Chelsea edge Aston Villa in seven-goal thriller as Nusken seals dramatic victory

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