Aggie Beever-Jones, Maika Hamano and Kadeisha Buchanan were all on the scoresheet for the reigning champions as they responded to Sunday's FA Cup exit
Chelsea will go into their huge Women's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on a high after goals from Aggie Beever-Jones, Maika Hamano and Kadeisha Buchanan saw the Blues beat Aston Villa 3-0 to return to the top of the Women's Super League table.
It was always going to be tough for Villa to get a result on Wednesday, but that difficult task quickly became near-impossible when goalkeeper Anna Leat was sent off for handball with less than four minutes played. Sjoeke Nusken was alert to a sloppy pass and her first-time shot caused Leat to panic and dive to save, despite being well out of her box.
It took less than 15 minutes for Chelsea to take advantage, Niamh Charles' cross and Beever-Jones' clever finish capping a nice team move, and it was two before the break when Hamano met Ashley Lawrence's delivery at the back post for her first goal for the club.
The Blues added to that lead just past the hour when Kadeisha Buchanan converted Catarina Macario's corner, and that sealed a win which took the reigning champions back to the top of the table and saw them bounce back from two cup defeats in quick succession ahead of Saturday's huge European tie.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Kingsmeadow…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (6/10):
Had one real save to make at the end of the game and handled the situation well to preserve her clean sheet.
Ashley Lawrence (7/10):
Got forward well. Showed great strength before delivering the teasing ball for Hamano's goal.
Kadeisha Buchanan (8/10):
Held down the fort when Carter got forward and did some good defending from the front when further up the pitch, too. Great header to make it three.
Jess Carter (7/10):
Sensed opportunities to join the attack and took them, her driving runs from defence causing Villa another issue.
Niamh Charles (7/10):
Was a great outlet down the left all night and whipped in the cross which Beever-Jones turned into the opening goal.
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Sophie Ingle (7/10):
Kept everything ticking over nicely from the base of the midfield, with her pass to Kirby in the build-up to the first goal a particular highlight.
Sjoeke Nusken (7/10):
Read play well all night, most notably to pounce on Corsie's poor pass and produce the shot that led to Leat's sending off. Should've had a goal or two with the positions she got herself in.
Fran Kirby (8/10):
Most of what Chelsea did well went through her. Classy display.
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Aggie Beever-Jones (8/10):
Really clever finish to break the deadlock. Set the tone for another strong display in which she caused Villa problems.
Catarina Macario (8/10):
So much to like about this performance on her first start for the club. Positioning, movement off the ball and how she contributed to the build-up play was all superb, while her consistently good set-pieces got her an assist.
Maika Hamano (8/10):
A livewire on the left, linking up well with Charles to really test Villa's right-hand side. Deserved her goal and showed good instincts to get it.
GettySubs & Manager
Guro Reiten (6/10):
Replaced Charles in an unfamiliar left-back role before the hour but didn't create a weak link. Supported the attack while also doing her defensive duties well.
Mayra Ramirez (6/10):
Had 20 minutes or so to make an impact and had some bright moments without adding to the score.
Erin Cuthbert (6/10):
On at the same time as Ramirez and was immediately looking to make things happen, ensuring there was no drop in energy.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (N/A):
On for the final few minutes.
Emma Hayes (8/10):
Her rotation allowed some players to rest ahead of the Barca clash, it gave others well-earned starts and, above all, got her team the win they needed.