Asked Renee Slegers about Arsenal’s defensive display: “Very good. I think their presence to start with, the way the team presents themselves I’m most pleased with. It has been difficult days for us but we were so good, so strong, strong presence. I’m really happy with how they dealt with Villa.”

Full time: Aston Villa 0-3 Arsenal Women Arsenal return to winning ways with a dominant display in attack & defence - with just two CBs available, this was an impressive performance. Two goals + assist for Alessia Russo, with Frida Maanum also on target again as Arsenal secure a top three finish

Nice to see the Arsenal fans serenading their former goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo, who has made a number of impressive saves to keep the score down

7,944 in attendance at Villa Park

Foord on for Caldentey- Mead in the ten as Maanum drops deeper

Chance! Maanum plays Blackstenius in behind and she elects to shoot rather than squaring for Mead. The shot is over, Mead is rightfully not happy

Considering Arsenal have just two centre-backs available, their back four have been excellent so far with very little given away. Codina and Wubben-Moy very solid in the middle

Pelova and Kelly are on for Little and Smith. Villa top scorer Hanson has been kept very quiet, and she is replaced by Mullett

Blackstenius and Mead coming on

Goal! A reversal of roles from Arsenal’s second to score their third- Maanum plays Russo in and she rounds D’Angelo to make it 3-0

Both sides unchanged for the second half

Half time: Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal Women Alessia Russo scores and assists as Arsenal take control of this game. Villa have looked threatening on the counter but mustered just one shot in 45 minutes

Ten goals and six assists now for Alessia Russo in the WSL this season

Goal! That is outstanding from Alessia Russo, the turn and through-ball and Frida Maanum finishes in style. Almost a copy of Wednesday's equaliser. What a goal! 0-2 www.onlinegooner.com/articles/vie...

Impressive start from Holmberg who has been inverting into midfield at times

Seems to have gone down 'officially' as an Alessia Russo goal

Goal! Arsenal lead through an own goal- Holmberg's cross was nodded towards goal by Russo and couldn't be cleared off the line by a Villa defender. 0-1 www.onlinegooner.com/articles/vie...

My Aston Villa v Arsenal Women live blog 👇 www.onlinegooner.com/articles/vie...

All set at Villa Park

A guard of honour for the retiring Lucy Staniforth

The travelling Arsenal fans here at Villa Park

Villa warming up in a back four- Maltby, Deslandes, Taylor and Maritz

My Aston Villa v Arsenal Women live blog 👇 www.onlinegooner.com/articles/vie...

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo starts in her final home game for Aston Villa

Told Katie McCabe not in the squad today owing to a family matter.

Aston Villa v Arsenal Women team news www.onlinegooner.com/articles/vie...

Anneke Borbe starts in goal Smilla Holmberg on the right wing Mariona Caldentey back in midfield

One of my favourite stadiums to watch football at - Arsenal Women take on Aston Villa with the Gunners needing a point to secure European football

Made it to Villa Park in the sunshine where Villa boss Natalia Arroyo is having a chat with compatriots Laia Codina and Marion’s Caldentey

Sky Sports Cricket feature on England bowler Lauren Bell includes this picture of her playing youth football for Reading. The Chelsea player looks familiar! www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkN9...

Renee Slegers and Alessia Russo nominated for Women's Super League awards www.onlinegooner.com/articles/vie...

This week's pod with @daisyg54.bsky.social 🎙️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPGq...

Exclusive: Bunny Shaw is poised to leave Man City this summer to pursue a new challenge. Shaw had been close to a new deal in March and told the club she would like to stay but City haven't matched rival packages. The length of contract has been a sticking point. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Full-time: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal Women Probably a fair result despite an improved second half from the Gunners, as Manchester City win the WSL. Another poor goal conceded and the momentum only turning when changes were made. One win in four v Brighton in all competitions now

Final change for Arsenal as Kelly comes on for Foord

Maanum, Smith and Hinds are replaced by Blackstenius, Mead and McCabe. Brighton also make a triple change

Goal! Moments after being denied a penalty, Maanum is played in behind by Russo and finds the bottom corner to level for Arsenal. 1-1

Everything threatening from Arsenal has come from Smilla Holmberg

Caldentey on for Pelova at half time

Half time: Brighton 1-0 Arsenal

Brighton lead, and unfortunately it’s poor all round from Pelova. Needless free-kick to give away and she doesn’t defend well against Tsunoda, whose effort is deflected past van Domselaar

Seems to be an idea to catch Nnadozie off guard with long-range efforts, but very little threat from Arsenal going forward. Too many turnovers in midfield against a Brighton side who have created more clear-cut chances

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal Women live blog ✍️ www.onlinegooner.com/articles/vie...

Remarkable case of scheduling in the WSL where Man City can win the title on four different occasions in the next two weeks, and they only play on one of them

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal Women team news: Gunners looking to delay Manchester City title celebrations ✍️ www.onlinegooner.com/articles/vie...

Holmberg, Codina, Hinds, Pelova all start. Mead back on the bench

Plenty of Brighton changes- Kirby, Hayes, Symonds and Cankovic all on the bench

Asked Renee Slegers about Arsenal Women's U21s winning the league for the second consecutive season: "That's really good. Elliot [Allum] moved into our staff and they've been doing brilliant. We have players from the Under-21s training with us. We're looking to do everything to..."

The last thing on anyone’s mind I’m sure- but Simeone taking Alvarez, Griezmann and Lookman off was… quite the choice!