The Swedish winger found the back of the net in the 36th minute on Friday night at Kingsmeadow – and it proved enough to help us claim our first win of the Women’s Super League season.

It was an effort worthy of all three points. Mayra Ramirez laid a pass off to Rytting Kaneryd, who beat her marker with a dummy and then chopped the ball back onto her left foot. A sweet 20-yard strike was then unleashed and the Blues were ahead.

Our advantage was maintained across the 90, and speaking after the victory, head coach Sonia Bompastor revealed the strike was not simply a moment of brilliance, but the result of Rytting Kaneryd's hard work during pre-season.

And having detailed a desire to add more goals to her game this season, the 27-year-old was delighted to set herself on her way during the opening fixture of the campaign.

‘It was an unbelievable feeling,’ Rytting Kaneryd said. ‘This year I’ve really been working on my left foot and I feel like I surprised myself, to be honest. I felt like I got a good shot but I think it was really beautiful.’

A win was the main objective against Villa and the victory had to be earned, with our opponents pushing us all the way.

Two fantastic saves from Blues goalkeeper Hannah Hampton in the dying stages of injury time, coupled with Rytting Kaneryd’s first-half goal, proved the difference and ensured we collected all three points.

But with it being the first match of the new campaign and a maiden competitive encounter under Bompastor, Rytting Kaneryd reflected on the game constructively.

‘Sonia has come in and was very clear with how she wanted to play,’ Rytting Kaneryd said. ‘Of course, it’s hard in the beginning to set out every detail in the game but I feel it’s very clear: if you play at Chelsea you want to win and you should win.

‘There were moments in this game we did really well and the moments we didn’t do really well, so we still need to work.

‘There were some nervous minutes in the end. They were really pressing us and Hannah had to make some very good saves. It was the first game of the league season, so we’re just happy that we could win the game.’