Albion have to settle for opening-day point

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Goalless draw against Aston Villa at the Broadfield Stadium to kick off the new campaign.

2025-09-07T14:00+01:00

Michelle Agyemang was a constant threat for Albion. 📷 Kyle Hemsley

Albion had to settle for a point on the opening day of the new WSL season against Aston Villa.

Both sides hit the woodwork and Albion had the better chances but in front of England head coach Serena Wiegman there was a lack of composure in the final third at both ends, although Dario Vidosic will be pleased with a clean sheet with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defender Moeka Minami impressive on their debuts.

Rachel McLauchlan lets fly but her shot was saved. 📷 Kyle Hemsley.

The only surprise at the end of an entertaining first half was that it ended goalless.

All that was missing was a bit of quality with the finish but both sides had opportunities. Fran Kirby was offside when she turned in the loose ball after Rachel McLauchlan’s shot was saved while Jelena Cankovic couldn’t adjust her position to turn the loose ball in the net after Villa keeper Sabrina D'Angelo had parried a drive by McLauchlan, who needed no invitation to get forward from right back. Then in eight minutes of stoppage time Mady Haley’s powerful close-range header only just cleared the target.

Fran Kirby finds the net but her goal was disallowed for offside. 📷 Kyle Hemsley.

Villa had their moments too. Nnadozie needed to save an angled effort by Kirsty Hanson but when the keeper strayed well off her line Rachel Daly chipped the ball over her but fortunately for Brighton it came back off the bar.

New Albion skipper Maisie Symonds was inches away seven minutes into the second half when she whipped a right-footed free kick just over the target before the woodwork denied Albion midway through it. Marisa Olislagers’ pass found Michelle Agyemang 15 yards out and her right-foot shot was curling inside the upright until it deflected off Anna Patten and onto the post.

Kiko Seike tests Villa keeper Sabrina D'Angelo. 📷 Kyle Hemsley.

It became clear that one goal was probably going to be decisive and Seike nearly got it, but her header from Cankovic’s cross was a yard wide. Lynn Wilms bravely blocked Agyemang’s close-range effort.

Bex Rayner, Nadine Noordam and Carla Camacho added fresh legs in the closing stages for Albion but Wilms nearly won it with six minutes to go when she crashed a free-kick from 20 yards over the defensive wall but off the crossbar. That would have been harsh on the Seagulls, who deserved at least a point.