A goalless draw between Brighton and Aston Villa leaves both sides on 1 point in the opening week

It was always going to be a tough test between these two teams; with Brighton finishing in their highest ever position in the WSL at fifth and Aston Villa finishing sixth after going an impressive five games unbeaten at the back end of last season. Both teams also made several signings over the summer and today would be a great test to see how they slot into the teams' styles of play and help contribute to their successes going forward. 

via www.brightonandhovealbion.com

Starting XI: 

Brighton and Hove Albion: Nnadozie, Minami, Symonds (C), Agyemang, Cankovic, Seike, Kirby, Olislagers, Haley, Mclauchlan, Rule 

Aston Villa: D'Angelo, Patten, Kearns, Baijings, Daly (C), Wilms, Maritz, Salmon, Hanson, Grant, Deslandes 

First Half: 

Brighton Vs Aston Villa got underway at the Broadfield stadium today at 12 noon as they kick start their 24/25 WSL campaign, both teams with a new captain; Rachel Daly for Villa and Maisie Symonds for the Albion. It was a strong start for both sides, with an end-to-end opening 15 minutes, both teams executing passes to send the ball high up the pitch.  

The first clear chance when Villa’s Kirsty Hanson put Brighton defender Charlie Rule under pressure straight after coming back onto the pitch from an injury check. Hanson managed to get the shot away however she shoots it wide and it's a goal kick for Brighton. 

Down the other end of the pitch, Brighton started to get a few shots away and even managed to find the back of the net thanks to Fran Kirby however the flag was raised for offside, and the goal was disallowed. 

D'Angelo was down for the second time of the half as the medical team attended to her once again. She seemed to be in slight discomfort however she was fine and continued to play the remainder of the first half without needing anymore medical assistance. 

The first corner of the match came in the 28^th minute for the away side Villa where they curved the ball straight round to the near post and it was punched away by the Brighton keeper Nnadozie for another corner. The second corner was kicked straight into the hands of Nnadozie and open play continued once again. 

Villa’s best attempt on goal of the half came in the 30^th minute when Rachel Daly’s superb kick hit the woodwork, narrowly missing and therefore denying Villa the lead. Brighton shortly followed with another great attack on goal as Kirby connects with an incredible through ball and shoots the ball just wide of the post, Brighton also narrowly missing a chance to take the lead. 

An additional 8 minutes was added to the first half and Brighton, the home side, had their first corner kick of the game however they were unable to convert anything from it.  

The first half ended goalless with an end-to-end half of action; both teams had a few attempts on goal however none of them found a way through the backline and into the net. A few unforced errors were also made in the first half from both sides as they gave away loose passes and unnecessary possession to their oppositions. 

First Half Bookings: 

-Chasity Grant: 33’ (Villa) 

-Oceane Deslandes: 45+4’ (Villa) 

Half Time Substitutions: 

-Ellie Roebuck replaces injured Sabrina D’Angelo (Villa) 

-Rachel Maltby replaces Oceane Deslandes (Villa) 

Second Half: 

Both teams start the second half well, trying to connect passes and create chances to take the lead against their opposition. 

A great attempt on goal came from the Albion skipper Symonds as she looks to convert a free kick from just outside the area however it is narrowly shot wide and the scoreline remains level.  

Both Villa and Brighton continue to pass the ball around the pitch quickly, trying to find their teammates and play direct and accurate passes between each other. After a nervy first half for a few of the players who seemed to make some silly mistakes, they now all seem fully settles into the match and desperate to find the back of the net to gain the lead. 

Brighton had a few more good chances, all their attacking players, Seike, Agyemang, Symonds, fully embracing themselves in front of goal however they were denied by the Villa backline, and they could not find the back of the net. Villa’s last best attempt on goal came from a free kick as Wilms hit the crossbar in the 86^th minute. 

An additional 6 minutes were added to the second half of the match and despite both teams' efforts to find the winner to secure the three points it ended goalless at the Broadfield stadium.  Brighton failed to give the returning Roebuck, playing her first WSL for 840 days, much to do in the goal.   

Second Half Bookings: 

-Lynn Wilms: 47’ (Villa) 

-Jill Baijings: 51’ (Villa) 

-Miri Taylor: 72’ (Villa) 

-Maria Olislagers: 84’ (Brighton) 

-Rachel Daly: 90+1’ (Villa) 

-Madison Haley: 90+6’ (Brighton) 

Second Half Substitutions: 

-Sarah Mayling replaces Ebony Salmon: 62’ (Villa) 

-Miri Taylor replaces Jill Baijings: 62’ (Villa) 

-Nadine Noordam replaces Fran Kirby: 73’ (Brighton) 

-Bex Rayner replaces Kiko Seike: 73’ (Brighton) 

-Georgia Mullett replaces Kirsty Hanson: 79’ (Villa) 

-Carla Camacho replaces Michelle Agyemang: 90’ (Brighton) 

Full Time: 

After a goalless draw at the Broadfield stadium this afternoon, both teams can take away the positives of their own performances and what might need to be improved going forward. With the new WSL campaign officially underway now, both Brighton and Villa will look to build momentum as they progress with their upcoming matches.