Stina Blackstenius’ first-half hat-trick helped Arsenal secure their place in the Women’s League Cup final with a dominant victory over Aston Villa.
Blackstenius rifled past Anna Leat at the near post after collecting a well-weighted Frida Maanum through ball to give League Cup holders Arsenal the lead after only nine minutes.
The Sweden striker netted again just two minutes later, prodding home from close range after Alessia Russo knocked a Beth Mead cross towards her.
Villa struggled as they were overrun by Arsenal’s energetic attacking and found themselves three goals behind after just 18 minutes with Maanum effortlessly curling a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Blackstenius pounced on a loose ball after Villa failed to clear a corner to complete her hat-trick before the break as Arsenal cruised towards victory.
While Villa improved in the second half, their moments of creativity remained fleeting and Arsenal were rarely placed under any real pressure.
Six-time League Cup winners Arsenal will face the winner of Thursday’s tie between Manchester City and Chelsea (kick-off 19:15 GMT) in the final on Sunday, 31 March, at Molineux.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Zinsberger
- 15McCabe
- 6WilliamsonSubstituted forCodinaat 63′minutes
- 3Wubben-Moy
- 7Catley
- 12MaanumSubstituted forLiaat 90′minutes
- 13WältiSubstituted forPelovaat 80′minutes
- 9MeadSubstituted forFoordat 63′minutes
- 25Blackstenius
- 32Cooney-Cross
- 23RussoSubstituted forLittleat 80′minutes
Substitutes
- 10Little
- 19Foord
- 21Pelova
- 27Codina
- 40Williams
- 53Lia
- 61Earl
- 86Bouhaddi
Aston Villa Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 21Leat
- 2Mayling
- 14Turner
- 4Patten
- 33Pacheco
- 8Nobbs
- 6CorsieBooked at 39mins
- 10DaliSubstituted forMullettat 84′minutes
- 7LehmannSubstituted forMagillat 45′minutes
- 9Daly
- 20HansonSubstituted forSalmonat 44′minutes
Substitutes
- 13Poor
- 17Salmon
- 18Mullett
- 22Magill
- 34MacPhail
- 49Sallaway
- Referee:
- Paul Howard
- Attendance:
- 3,507
Live Text
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Match ends, Arsenal Women 4, Aston Villa Women 0.
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Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 4, Aston Villa Women 0.
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Steph Catley (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Georgia Mullett (Aston Villa Women).
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Foul by Kim Little (Arsenal Women).
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Simone Magill (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Vivienne Lia replaces Frida Maanum.
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Steph Catley (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Anna Patten (Aston Villa Women).
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Attempt missed. Victoria Pelova (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
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Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Georgia Mullett replaces Kenza Dali.
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Attempt missed. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Anna Patten.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Victoria Pelova replaces Lia Wälti.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Kim Little replaces Alessia Russo.
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Attempt blocked. Caitlin Foord (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
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Foul by Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women).
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Danielle Turner (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt saved. Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
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Steph Catley (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
