Blues' Goodison Streak Ended By Villa

Everton’s five-game winning streak at Goodison Park came to its conclusion as the Blues were defeated 3-2 by Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Noelle Maritz broke the deadlock with just three minutes on the clock, with goals either side of half-time from Amalie Vangsgaard completing the scoring for the visitors.

Holly McNamara opened her account for the Club after signing in the summer on 79 minutes – the Aussie's arrowed strike from inside the area beating Akane Okuma.

Fellow summer recruit Noemie Mouchon then halved the deficit with 90 minutes on the clock, but Scott Phelan's side were left to feel the unfamiliar emotions of a home defeat.

Courtney Brosnan donned the captain’s armband and was trusted in between the sticks, with a backline of Maz Pacheco, Hannah Silcock, Naomi Layzell and Hannah Blundell in front of her.

Ruby Mace and Aurora Galli sat deep in midfield, allowing Yuka Momiki to roam slightly higher up. Hannah Cain and Ornella Vignola lined the flanks, with McNamara leading the line.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock as Maritz' effort fortunately rebounded off the near-post inside four minutes.

At the other end, Cain threatened as the Blues searched for an immediate response. Akane Okuma was equal to her low effort, though.

Vangsgaard doubled the Villains' lead, however, as she lobbed Brosnan with an audacious attempt from 30-yards. Tracked by the retreating Mace, the Dane cut-inside and floated the ball over the head of the outrushed keeper in the 32nd minute.

That concluded the action for the opening 45, with Vangsgaard doubling her tally five minutes after the interval. The 29-year-old burst across the front-post to meet Maritz' ball – the defender turning provider after notching the first.

Phelan looked to his bench for a reaction and brought on Jutta Rantala and Clare Wheeler in place of Cain and Galli.

Mouchon and Rion Ishikawa then replaced Vignola and Silcock as the Blues went on the offence.

That soon paid off as McNamara's strike nestled in to the bottom left corner. Compatriot Wheeler managed to squeeze the ball to the feet of her Everton and Australia teammate, who arrowed home with her first touch to give the Evertonians hope with 11 minutes remaining.

Mouchon's cross then evaded the reach of Okuma with 90 minutes on the clock. From a wide position, the France-youth international lifted the ball over the shot-stopper – the Gwladys erupting with hopes of completing the comeback.

Brian Sorensen's side defended resolutely throughout the dying moments, though – the former-Blues head coach putting a stop to Everton's scorching streak at the Grand Old Lady.