Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa: Stina Blackstenius' first-half hat-trick helps Gunners reach Women's League Cup final - MASHAHER

Arsenal, who have won the tournament six times, have now reached 10 of the 13 Women’s League Cup finals.

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

Match ends, Arsenal Women 4, Aston Villa Women 0.
Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 4, Aston Villa Women 0.
Steph Catley (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Georgia Mullett (Aston Villa Women).
Foul by Kim Little (Arsenal Women).
Simone Magill (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Vivienne Lia replaces Frida Maanum.
Steph Catley (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Anna Patten (Aston Villa Women).
Attempt missed. Victoria Pelova (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Georgia Mullett replaces Kenza Dali.
Attempt missed. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Anna Patten.
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Victoria Pelova replaces Lia Wälti.
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Kim Little replaces Alessia Russo.
Attempt blocked. Caitlin Foord (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Foul by Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women).
Danielle Turner (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
Steph Catley (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.