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3 Chelsea players who shined in imperative victory over Villa

By Caden Charpentier

WALSALL, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Sam Kerr of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after scoring the side's third goal during the FA Women's Super League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Poundland Bescot Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
WALSALL, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Sam Kerr of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after scoring the side's third goal during the FA Women's Super League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Poundland Bescot Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /
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Magdalena Eriksson of Chelsea (Photo by Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Getty Images) /

2. Magdalena Eriksson

Over the last few weeks, the Blues’ captain Magdalena Eriksson has been criticized for giving away potentially game changing chances to the French league leaders. On the road in the WSL this past Sunday, the captain was immense. Not only was it her leadership in the backline, but after many called her out on “not being up to the task” in the Champions League, Eriksson made a statement on the pitch against Villa.

The Swedish international completed nearly 79 percent of her passes while collecting the most interceptions on the team with four. She led a defense along with Niamh Charles, Jess Carter, and Kadeisha Buchanan who all contributed their own way to the victory on Sunday. Eriksson looked confidence with the ball at her feet through the entire 90 minutes, accumulating her highest pass completion percentage in the WSL since mid-January against the Gunners in north London. Four interceptions in a league contest were tied for the most this season with the 2-0 September win over Manchester City at Kingsmeadow.

This was arguably Eriksson’s best game since the calendar flipped to 2023. With Bright still recovering from her injury she suffered in the first leg against Lyon, these are the kind of displays the Blues need from their leader in the middle of the defense. Not much is known about what is going to happen to the Swede next season, but as a legend in west London, Eriksson is finishing her potentially last campaign with her eyes on assisting in any way to secure as much silverware as possible.

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