Kingsmeadow opened its turnstiles to Chelsea Women supporters for the first time since December 2020 and those in attendance were able to see the Blues secure victory in our final pre-season friendly.
A first-half goal from Bethany England sealed a 1-0 win against Aston Villa and it was quite a finish from the Blues striker.
Guro Reiten provided a cross into the box and England stooped low to guide her header over the Villa goalkeeper and give the Blues a much-deserved lead on 23 minutes.
The Blues searched for a second and Erin Cuthbert came closest just before the hour mark, but the Scots effort went inches wide of the post.
Pernille Harder then had an opportunity moments later when she was found unmarked in the box, but the Denmark captain couldn’t generate enough power behind her shot to trouble the Villa goalkeeper.
With 20 minutes to go, fans got the opportunity to get a first look at new signing Aniek Nouwen, when Emma Hayes brought the Dutch defender, and a host of other Blues, into the action.
Hayes and her squad will now prepare for our Barclays FA Women’s Super League opener against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday 5 September.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Berger (Musovic 69); Carter, Bright (Nouwen 69), Eriksson, Charles (Fox 69); Ji (Spence 69), Leupolz (Ingle 69); Cuthbert (Fleming 69), Harder (Kirby 69), Reiten (Andersson 69); England (Kerr 69)
Unused subs Telford
Scorers England 23