Chelsea beat Villa to reach Women’s FA Cup final

Holders Chelsea booked their place in the Women’s FA Cup final with a narrow victory over Aston Villa and remain on course to win the trophy for the third year in a row.

Sam Kerr headed in the winner at the back post in the second half but there were chances for both sides throughout an evenlymatched encounter at Bescot Stadium.

First-time semi-finalists Villa almost took the lead when Rachel Daly’s effort was blocked by defender Magdalena Eriksson, before Chelsea’s Eve Perisset sliced a golden opportunity over the bar on the brink of half-time.

Carla Ward’s Villa side grew into the match but lacked quality in decisive moments which proved costly as they looked to cause an upset.

In contrast, Blues striker Kerr only needed one chance to make her mark, rising highest to meet Guro Reiten’s cross for her 24th goal in all competitions this season.

“You can’t [stop her]. I’ve never seen a centre forward move as much as her. It’s not just a single movement. It’s double movement,” said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.

“Her energy levels - it’s like she’s a 12-year-old. It’s infectious. But I don’t know a striker in world football that can do what she does. She’s the best.”

Kerr’s decisive goal came after Villa’s Alisha Lehmann had fired inches wide at the other end - and the Swiss winger had another chance later on but fizzed it across the face of the goal in the 77th minute.

Chelsea were forced to hold on in the latter stages as Villa pushed desperately for an equaliser, with full-back Sarah Mayling striking the post, but the Blues held their nerve to reach another final.

They will meet Manchester United at Wembley on 14 May after the Red Devils’ dramatic late victory over Brighton on Saturday.

Chelsea find a way to win… again

This was not a vintage Chelsea performance but the Blues have been in this position several times before this season and usually found a way through.

They did so again on Sunday although Villa gave them a real test in the second half, creating a number of chances and building pressure in front of a crowd of more than 5,000.

“I think the game played exactly the way I thought it would,” said Hayes.

“Villa were tremendous and gave everything to the game.

That pitch is difficult to play on. I thought we looked quite leggy and Villa threw everything at us.”

On-loan Manchester United winger Kirsty Hanson was the hosts’ most dangerous outlet, causing havoc on the left and putting crosses into the box which team-mates Daly, Kenza Dali and Lehmann failed to capitalise on.

But Chelsea did enough to ensure their quest for a third successive FA Cup crown continues - and they remain in the hunt for three trophies this season.