Aston Villa 0-6 Chelsea Women: Emma Hayes' side go top of WSL after thrashing

Chelsea have moved top of the Women's Super League table after an emphatic 6-0 win at Aston Villa to pile more misery on the hosts.

Captain Millie Bright fired the visitors in front in the 21st minute before Fran Kirby extended the champions' lead with a close-range effort five minutes later.

In the second half, goals from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, substitute duo Ashley Lawrence and Aggie Beever-Jones and Niamh Charles piled more misery on the visitors.

Victory for Chelsea sees Emma Hayes' side leapfrog Manchester City into first place on 13 points. Villa, meanwhile, remain pointless at the foot of the table after five games played.

In an open start to the game, it was Chelsea who had the better opportunities as Johanna Rytting Kaneryd came close with a vicious strike and Kirby struck the woodwork.

Rachel Daly was made to pay for her missed chance in the 16th minute, firing over the crossbar from point-blank range, as Chelsea took the lead through Bright. The England international fired her shot in on the volley after Mia Fishel had her attempt cleared off the line.

Kirby continued to be dangerous on the counter-attack and deservedly opened her account for the campaign in the 26th minute as she thumped in a close-range rebound after her first shot was blocked.

Chelsea continued their dominance in the second half with another four goals. Rytting Kaneryd struck in the 56th minute with a close-range finish after a slick Chelsea counter-attack.

Lawrence added a fourth thanks to her right knee as she converted Jessie Fleming's cross before another substitute, Beever-Jones, made it five after a fine solo run down the left flank.

In the 74th minute, Chelsea made it six thanks to a fine side-footed volley from Charles into the bottom corner.

What's next?

Aston Villa visit Sheff Utd in the Continental Cup on Wednesday, kick-off 7pm. They then visit Bristol City in the WSL on November 12, kick-off 2pm.

Chelsea are back in action with a trip to Everton next Sunday, kick-off 1pm. Their Champions League campaign then kicks off, when they head to the continent to face Real Madrid on November 15, kick-off 8pm.