Lucia Kendall's brace secured a 3-1 WSL Cup win for Aston Villa Women against Newcastle United Women on Wednesday. The victory provides a welcome boost for a side sitting 13th in the FA WSL with just two points from four league games.
Head coach Tanya Oxtoby made nine changes from the previous weekend's league win, handing full debuts to Gemma Evans, Hanna Németh, and goalkeeper Kayla Rendell. The reshuffled side fell behind early when Lily Murphy capitalised on a deflected cross to put Newcastle ahead in the 10th minute.
Aston Villa dominated possession and responded well. Oona Sevenius, who took the captain's armband after Jordan Nobbs departed, broke down the right and found the net to level the score. The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute when Kendall pounced on a loose ball to put Villa ahead. She then doubled her tally in added time, reacting quickest to a rebound off the post.
"Lucia Kendall then doubled her tally for the evening in second-half added time when she reacted quickest to some pinball in the box," match reports noted. Goalkeeper Kayla Rendell was key to the result, making two key saves including a one-on-one stop from Murphy.
The win offers positive momentum ahead of a return to league action. Aston Villa Women host Crystal Palace W this Friday, a team currently eighth in the table.
The club has confirmed the official match timeline from the 3-1 win. Newcastle United stated Lily Murphy opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Lucia Kendall then scored in the 83rd and 90'+2nd minutes, with Oona Sevenius equalising in the 26th. Aston Villa's recent form across all competitions is now two wins, one draw and two losses from their last five matches. They host Crystal Palace W on Friday.
Aston Villa Women will host Crystal Palace W on Sunday, 4 October 2026, at 13:00 UTC. The club's official preview confirms the fixture at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground. Villa, 13th in the FA WSL with two points from four games, will look to build on their 3-1 cup win over Newcastle. Their recent form across all competitions is two wins, one draw and two losses from their last five matches.
