by Brighton continued their strong start to the Women’s Super League season under new head coach Dario Vidosic, winning a six-goal thriller against Aston Villa, who controversially had Paula Tomás sent off at the crucial moment of a balanced game.
With the score tied at 2-2, after Rachel Daly scored twice for Villa and Nikita Parris and Pauline Bremer both scored from close range for the home side, Brighton were awarded a late penalty. Tomás was accused of blocking Kiko Seike’s run in the penalty area and Villa reacted with shock and dismay when the Spanish left-back was shown a red card.
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After Villa’s protests, England international Fran Kirby stepped up confidently and shot low from the penalty spot, giving Brighton six points out of a possible nine so far this season. In Brighton, Poppy Pattinson was also sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card before substitute Michelle Agyemang made it 4-2 with a clinical low finish. The result means Robert de Pauw is without a league win in his first three WSL games as Villa head coach, but his side’s creative play and attractive attacking football will have given him encouragement after a narrow opening defeat at champions Chelsea and a 2-0-2 draw against Tottenham.
