Aston Villa continued their unbeaten start to pre-season as they drew 2-2 away to Charlton Athletic at the Valley this afternoon.
Robert de Pauw’s side came from behind twice as goals from Adriana Leon and Paula Tomás ensured Villa a draw in their third pre-season outing.
Villa found themselves on the back foot after only five minutes on the clock as a mix up at the back gifted the Addicks the opening goal as Ellie Brazil was left to slot the ball home from only 10 yards out.
Sophia Poor was called into action on the 23rd minute as she collected a header from Kayleigh Barton.
Kirsty Hanson found Miri Taylor outside the box seven minutes later, but her thundering effort was blocked before it could reach the target.
Katie Robinson charged down the right flank on the half an hour mark before rolling a cross into the six-yard area for Salmon to hit but her shot was deflected wide.
Robinson was involved again minutes later as she created some space inside the final third before firing a shot just wide of the post.
Dan Turner saw her header caught by Sophie Whitehouse on the 36th minute as the Villans continued their search for the equalising goal.
Their pressure paid off only seconds later as Leon made it two goals in two pre-season games with a terrific solo effort as she skipped past several red shirts in the area before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Charlton took advantage of another mistake at the back immediately after the restart as this time Barton punished Villa to restore the home side’s lead.
Villa switched on immediately and went on the hunt to find the leveller again and came close through Salmon who curled a powerful shot goalwards from 20 yards out, but her effort flew just wide.
Substitute Kenza Dali set up Taylor on the 73rd minute as she was denied by Whitehouse after lifting a first-time shot towards goal.
Rachel Daly also came off the bench looking to pull her side back level and came close on the 81st minute as she forced Whitehouse is getting down and across to palm her shot safely away.
de Pauw’s changes sealed the draw for his side as substitutes Chasity Grant, Jordan Nobbs and Tomás linked up to ensure the unbeaten run continued.
Grant cut the ball back to Nobbs out wide who floated a cross towards the back post for Tomás to get up high to head home.
Villa’s pre-season schedule continues next week as they travel to take on fellow Women’s Super League opponents Everton.
Charlton Athletic: Whitehouse, Pearse (N’Dow 63’), Skeels, Newsham, Hutton (Ross 79’), Roe (O’Rourke 63’), Filis, Humphrey (Bradley 63’), Bashford, Brazil (Muya 63’), Barton (Ademiluyi 79’)
Aston Villa: Poor, Mayling, Parker (Maritz 60’), Turner, Pacheco (Tomás 60’), Staniforth (Kearns 60’), Taylor, Robinson (Grant 60’), Leon (Dali 46’ (Maltby 75’)), Hanson (Nobbs 46’), Salmon (Daly 60’)
