Chelsea set up an FA Cup final showdown with Manchester United as Sam Kerr’s second-half header gave them a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
Kerr’s 24th goal of the season 14 minutes after the break was enough to see off a valiant Villa side at the Poundland Bescot Stadium and keep Chelsea on course to win this competition for a third consecutive year.
Villa were aiming to reach the final for the first time in their history but can take pride in pushing the holders all the way in Walsall and, had Sarah Mayling’s effort seven minutes before full-time been the right side of the post, it could have been a different story.
Chelsea, though, found a way to see out the victory and will face WSL leaders Manchester United, who beat Brighton 3-2 in the other semi-final on Saturday, at Wembley on May 14.
The result also kept alive Chelsea’s hopes of a treble this season. Emma Hayes’ side are a point behind United in the WSL with a game in hand and are also in the Champions League semi-finals, where they face Barcelona.
Kerr is congratulated by her team-mates after opening the scoring in the second half
Kerr: It was a gutsy performance
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr told BBC Sport: “It was a tough game. It feels really good to get the win and get back to Wembley.
“I play in an amazing team, and as the nine I’m just lucky to be getting that kind of service every week.
“It’s hard to come back from the international break, but we fought hard.
“It took 11 players, it was a gutsy performance and not as clean as we would’ve liked, the fans here made it tough but we got it done.”
