London, England Sept 21, V7N – The reigning Women's Super League champions, Chelsea, kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Aston Villa at home. A goal from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd secured all three points for Chelsea in the debut match of new head coach Sonia Bompastor, who took over from Emma Hayes.Bompastor, 44, witnessed her team start brightly, with winger Guro Reiten creating two early chances that narrowly missed the target.

The first half saw both teams trading opportunities, but it was Chelsea who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Rytting Kaneryd showcased her skill by cutting in from the left, pulling the ball back onto her left foot, and curling it into the top-left corner for a stunning finish.Aston Villa responded well in the second half, with Rachel Daly coming close to leveling the score. Her looping header from inside the penalty area hit the crossbar and bounced clear.

Despite Villa's improved performance compared to their seventh-place finish last season, they struggled against Chelsea's high press, often conceding possession in dangerous areas.As the match progressed, Villa intensified their efforts, applying pressure late in the game. Daly almost found the equalizer again with a header from a corner, but Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made a brilliant save, followed by another crucial stop against Villa’s Sabrina D'Angelo.

After the match, Bompastor reflected on the importance of starting the season with a win. "I hoped maybe we could score more goals and be more relieved. But everyone told me 'welcome to the league' and this is why I came," she stated. She emphasized her desire for the team to enjoy their play and bring joy to the fans while maintaining a focus on playing a good style of football.With this victory, Chelsea sets a positive tone for their title defense, while Aston Villa will look to build on their performance as they continue their campaign in the Women's Super League.

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