Brighton beaten by Aston Villa in WSL

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Fuka Tsunoda scores her first goal for the club before Villa stage second-half fightback to win 2-1.

Neil Moxley

2026-01-11T14:00+00:00

Fuka Tsunoda (29) is mobbed after she capitalised on a goalkeeping error to put Albion ahead. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Fuka Tsunoda claimed her first Albion goal but two in quick succession from the hosts saw Dario Vidosic’s side slip to defeat at Villa Park as they returned to WSL action on Sunday.

The midfielder found the net after just 11 minutes, capitalising on a loose ball out of defence.

She was alert to the possibility after Villa keeper Sabrina D’Angelo rolled a pass in her direction, and she planted a right-foot shot past the home No.1 to get the Seagulls off to a flier.

Fortunes ebbed and flowed after that with both teams enjoying chances before the interval.

Madison Haley goes past Villa's Noelle Maritz. 📷Kyle Hemsley

But it was the hosts who managed to capitalise after the break with Rachel Daly’s header from a right-wing free-kick and a stunning 25-yard strike from Kirsty Hanson inside 90 seconds proving the difference.

Albion had started brightly and Madison Haley was inches away from giving the visitors a sixth-minute lead.

Kiko Seike caused problems throughout on the right and the onrushing forward was unable to connect with the low centre.

However, Tsunoda had no such problems five minutes later.

Villa keeper D’Angelo attempted to play the ball out but succeeded only in finding Albion’s young midfielder who controlled before finding a confident right-foot finish for her first Brighton goal.

It stayed that way until the interval - although both sides enjoyed clear opportunities.

Rosa Kafaji breaks forward with Manu Vanegas in support. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Villa tested the woodwork twice inside nine minutes. Former England star Daly thumped a header into the crossbar midway through the half.

And that was followed by the European Championship-winning Lioness side-footing Hanson’s left-wing centre against the upright.

But Albion enjoyed their chances too. Skipper Maisie Symonds poked another Seike pull-back inches wide.

Albion again looked to profit when Villa looked to start their attacks from the back, just three minutes after the interval.

Seike drove forward but fired over the bar and ten minutes later Albion’s problems mounted as the hosts found the net twice in quick succession.

Villa had failed to trouble Sophie Baggaley in the visitors’ goal after the interval and were desperately seeking a way into the game.

But they found an opportunity via Daly who remained a threat in front of goal for Villa. She managed to divert a right-wing free-kick beyond Albion’s keeper in the 56th minute to drag Natalia Arroyo’s side level.

Kiko Seike was player of the match at Villa Park but she couldn't prevent Albion from losing 2-1. 📷Kyle Hemsley

There had been little to suggest that Baggley’s goal was under any pressure at this stage but worse was to follow.

With the visitors still reeling from the equaliser and trying to regain their concentration, Villa found a way through again.

Hanson worked herself a shooting chance from the edge of the area and her left-footed effort flew into the net.

Albion tried to find an equaliser, but the hosts held firm.

Albion: Baggaley, Rule, (Camacho 78) Minami, Olislagers, Vanegas; Symonds, (sub: Hayes 90) Kafaji, (McLauchlan 60) Tsunoda; (Noordam 60) Kirby, Seike, Haley.