Having been in excellent form of late, West Ham Women were determined to pick up three points in their last WSL home game of the season. But Rehanne Skinner’s side came up just short, falling to a 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa, their first loss in five matches. 

Ebony Salmon’s early goal put Villa in front five minutes in, but West Ham’s response was positive as they immediately tried to find a way back into the match. Shekiera Martinez, who scored four last time out against Crystal Palace, equalised for West Ham. The German forward nodded home Verena Hanshaw’s delivery, taking her WSL goal tally into double digits for the season.

Fifteen minutes later, Riko Ueki scored a second for the Hammers, giving Rehanne Skinner’s side the lead. A determined run and well executed pass from skipper Katrina Gorry found Ueki, who touched it past the Villa keeper and passed it into the empty net.

Visitors Aston Villa regained control of the match either side of the half time break. Rachel Daly’s goal 37 minutes in made it 2-2, before Chasity Grant’s composed finish early in the second half gave Villa a third and put them back in front. The visitors held on to secure the three points and bring the Hammers unbeaten run to an end.

The defeat to Aston Villa marked just West Ham’s third loss in the league at home this season. Speaking to the Club’s media team after the game, Hammers boss Rehanne Skinner felt her side created enough opportunities to get something from the game.

“I think there were opportunities for us, we created better chances and just didn’t finish them, unfortunately.” said Skinner.

The Hammers boss discussed her side’s excellent form at home this season and how building on that by picking up more points on the road will be key to a successful campaign next season: “We want to make ourselves really difficult to beat when we go away from home as well. That’ll be a big, positive step for us next year.”

Skinner went on to add: “If we can try and match that (home form) away from home, we’ll be really, really dangerous. That’s going to be something that we can build on.”

Rehanne Skinner’s side will be hoping they can use the disappointment of the Villa defeat as motivation to end their season on a win. The Hammers have one WSL game left to play, they travel to the King Power on Saturday where they face Leicester City. Kick off is at 12:30pm