Sam Kerr and Niamh Charles returned to the pitch in a Chelsea shirt on Sunday and had been amongst these to make their presence felt in a dramatic come-back victory over Aston Villa.
We continued our spectacular run in opposition to the Midlands facet, having now received all 12 of our conferences within the Women’s Super League house and away. Incredibly, Villa’s three targets on this match had been greater than that they had managed in all 11 of their earlier video games in opposition to us mixed.
Thankfully, the Blues had their scoring boots on as effectively, netting 4 occasions and registering on the scoresheet for the sixth consecutive sport within the WSL. It was the best way we fought again from an early disappointment which was most spectacular, although, as we took all three factors in a league sport after conceding the opening purpose for the primary time in a 12 months, since beating Manchester City in March 2025.
However, we had been made to work onerous for these three factors. Right from the beginning it was clear this may be a troublesome problem, when Aston Villa received the primary purpose two minutes in.
Playing on the again foot in opposition to this Villans facet is not any simple activity, so adept are they on the artwork of defending deep whereas launching incisive counter-attacks. That was proven each by the distinction in common positions between the 2 groups, and the very fact Villa managed three targets from as many pictures on track over the 90 minutes.
But struggle again we did. Initially targets by Kerr, Naomi Girma and Lauren James appeared to settled issues in our favour, however these harmful Villa counters advised as they levelled the scores at 3-3 by half-time.
Nusken’s well timed intervention
The second half was very completely different from the tumultuous first, nearly like a coaching drill of assault in opposition to defence at occasions, earlier than we lastly broke down the customer’s resistance for Sjoeke Nusken to web a wonderful 82nd-minute winner.
James and Nusken each stood out with essential contributions, getting a purpose and an help every, arising large in the important thing moments for Chelsea.
Nusken specifically intervened at essential moments for the Blues, organising Kerr’s first-half equaliser to begin our fight-back, earlier than netting the late winner herself when their roles had been reversed, simply when it started to appear like we would must accept a irritating draw.
It was an all-action efficiency from the German worldwide, who made her presence felt at each ends of the pitch, even discounting her purpose and help. The six ball recoveries she made was the joint-highest of any outfield participant, whereas her 28 profitable move within the closing third was 5 greater than anybody else.
Lauren was a continuing attacking risk for the Blues, together with her six pictures the joint-highest determine posted by a Chelsea participant within the WSL this season. The six probabilities she created on this sport was additionally her finest for a 12 months, since that come-back win over Man City final March.
Those numbers had been each the very best within the match. As had been her 14 crosses – greater than twice as many as anybody else – one in all which produced the Girma purpose which gave us the lead for the primary time within the sport.
Kerr again with a bang
Kerr and Ellie Carpenter made a welcome return to the Chelsea line-up in opposition to Aston Villa, following their prolonged worldwide responsibility throughout Australia’s run to the ultimate of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on house soil. Their presence was definitely appreciated by their team-mates.
‘It’s so good to have them again,’ mentioned our match winner Nusken. ‘We have such a small squad at the moment because of a lot of injuries, so it’s excellent to have them again, particularly as they performed actually good once more.
‘They give us confidence on the field. Sam in the box is always there and always dangerous so it’s good to have her again, and Ellie as effectively is all the time doing effectively.’
The striker specifically produced a ruthless efficiency. Villa’s deep line of defense and massed ranks round their very own field meant her house and alternatives had been restricted, however she definitely made them depend.
From simply 23 touches of the ball, Kerr managed 4 pictures, two of them on track and one in all them producing a purpose, in addition to her help for Nusken’s profitable strike. Her particular person anticipated targets of 1.01 was additionally the very best of any participant on the pitch. Sam might have had the fewest touches of anybody in both beginning XI, however she definitely made them depend.
Faultless from Niamh
Another important return for Chelsea got here within the closing quarter when Niamh Charles arrived off the bench to exchange Alyssa Thompson and make her first look of 2026 following harm.
Her 25 minutes on the pitch – together with added time – had been just about faultless, underlining why the England worldwide could be such a dependable and constant performer for the Blues when totally match.
With her 22 touches, the full-back didn’t put a foot improper, finishing 100 per cent of her 10 passes, producing two crosses and efficiently finishing her solely tried dribble. No surprise her return happy Sonia Bompastor a lot.
‘It’s really important for many reasons, but the main one being Niamh is an important player for Chelsea,’ our head coach reacted. ‘She’s a great player with a lot of quality, I think you could see that.
‘She hasn’t played for many months now, but when she came in, she just brought this impact and this energy into the team. So having her back at the moment, the business end of the season, but also a moment where we are facing some injuries, is really important.’
