Club News Brief

Aston Villa 3-1 Newcastle United

2026-09-30

Fixtures Aston Villa Women Vs. Newcastle United Ladies - Wed, Sep 30 2026, 19:30 Aston Villa Women made it two wins from two in the Subway Players Cup as they defeated Newcastle United 3-1 at Keys Park on Wednesday evening. A second half brace from Lucia Kendall confirmed victory under the lights in Hednesford, with the England international coming off the bench to re-establish the lead before adding the team's third late on. Lily Murphy was also on target for the first time in Villa colours opening the scoring in the 10th minute before Oona Sevenius levelled midway through the first half. Villa now turn focus to hosting Crystal Palace at Villa Park on Sunday (ko 2pm) before the international break. BUY TICKETS Goalkeeper Emily Ramsey and forward Georgia Mullett were granted their first starts of the campaign as Interim head coach Brian Sørensen made seven changes to the side that fell to defeat at Tottenham in the Women's Super League last weekend. It was a feisty start under the lights at Keys Park as both teams looked to assert their dominance in the opening exchanges. Villa ultimately won the early battle as Murphy fired them into the lead in the 10th minute. The summer arrival applied the finishing touch to a free flowing team move, after superb hold up play and a deft backheeled assist from team-mate Mullett. Soon after Mullett almost turned scorer as she latched onto a low cross from fellow academy graduate Rachel Maltby, but her flicked finish was deflected wide of the target. After a small spell of pressure visitors Newcastle equalised. Former Villan Jordan Nobbs curled a dangerous cross behind the back line which dropped to the feet of Oona Sevenius to poke home from close range. Villa continued with their front foot approach, going close to re-establishing their lead twice before the interval. Opening goalscorer Murphy spurned the first opportunity, scuffing her shot wide of the bottom corner having escaped the attentions of the visitors' backline. Then midfielder Miri Taylor took aim from distance but skewed wide of the target as the scores remained 1-1 heading into the break. Villa started the second half in the same vein as they finished the first, taking the game to Newcastle high up the field. A spell of intense pressure presented Mia McAulay with the chance to set her sights from 30 yards, and she duly attempted an audacious lob that drifted onto the roof of the net. Murphy went close once more as Villa's domination continued, breaking into the penalty area only to be thwarted by the legs of visiting stopper Kayla Rendell. With the lead still evading his side on the hour mark interim head coach Sørensen turned to his bench. Winger Chasity Grant was introduced for her 50th appearance for the club, replacing goalscorer Murphy. Full-back Lynn Wilms also entered the fray for Maya Hijikata, and Lucia Kendall took over the armband as team captain Anna Patten made way. Wilms impact was immediate, as she flashed a menacing low cross through the six yard box, though Amalie Vangsgaard was unable to apply the finishing touch after coming on for Mullett up top. Villa's attacking efforts were finally rewarded six minutes from time. A loose ball broke to Kendall on the edge of the box and the England international calmly picked out the top left corner with opposition keeper Rendell helpless to stop it. Vansgaard looked to make the points safe for the hosts in the final minutes but she steered Grant's cutback straight into Rendell's gloves from the edge of the area. However there was a final flourish for Villa as Kendall grabbed her second in stoppage time, popping up to smash home from inside the six yard box after Grant crashed an effort off the post. The Villans will now look to continue positive momentum ahead of the international break when they host Crystal Palace in the WSL in B6 on Sunday afternoon. Upcoming Fixtures Aston Villa Women Vs. Crystal Palace Women - Sun, Oct 10th 2026, 13:00