WINLESS ROYALS RUN CONTINUES WITH DRAW AT VILLA

READING FC WOMEN dropped down to eighth in the Women’s Super League after they were pegged back by Aston Villa.

Justine Vanheaevermaet put the Royals in front but they conceded to Ramona Petzelberger to leave them with just a point from their trip to the Midlands.

Reading have now gone six games in the WSL without a win.

Reading had their chances in the first-half to go in front, one of which came when they stole possession high up the pitch from a loose Villa pass but Natasha Dowie shot harmlessly at Hannah Hampton in the Villa goal.

The hosts tried their luck from a couple of occasions with strikes outside the box only to be denied by Royals keeper Grace Moloney.

Kelly Chambers’ team were given the chance to break the deadlock when the referee pointed to the penalty spot in the 69th minute after former Royals defender Maz Pacheco fouled Amalie Eikeland.

Vanhaevermaet stepped up to take responsibility from 12 yards out and confidently dispatched the spot-kick which sent Hampton the wrong way to put the Royals ahead.

But Villa weren’t down for long and levelled the game up just seven minutes later.

Laura Blindkidle got down the right byline and delivered an excellent cross to find Petzelberger at the back post who towered above to plant a header into the net.

Villa had a chance to snatch all three points at the end when another former Royal, Remi Allen, squeezed through the defence, but Moloney got enough of a hand to the ball to prevent it going in before it was cleared.

Moloney then did well to keep her cool and tip the ball over the bar following a late Villa corner that was almost diverted into the net by one of her own teammates as the game ended all square.

Next up for the Royals is a tricky away test against title pushing Chelsea.

The Blues are now in pole position for their push to be crowned champions for the second consecutive season after they overtook Arsenal into first place after their exceptional nine goal show at Leicester City at the weekend.

Emma Hayes’ team were in a ruthless mood as they smashed nine past Leicester without conceding.

They raced into a six goal lead by half-time and added three more in the second-half to confirm the thrashing.

There were braces for Guro Reiten, Sam Kerr and Beth England, while Aniek Nouwen, Lauren James and Jessie Fleming completed the rout.

Despite their contrasting positions in the table, Reading already have the bragging rights over Chelsea this season after shocking them at the Select Car Leasing Stadium..

The Royals got their first ever

WSL win over the Blues in

December in what was arguably Reading’s best moment of the season so far.

Up against a Chelsea side full of world class talent, including former Royal Fran Kirby, Reading marshalled the Chelsea attack to keep a shut out after forward Deanne Rose stole the show and put Reading in front after four minutes.

The Canadian international’s goal proved to be the only goal of the contest as Reading defended resolutely to earn three crucial points.