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The defeat of Aston Villa was Crystal Palace's first home win of the season Crystal Palace threw the Women's Super League relegation fight wide open after overcoming Aston Villa in the meeting between the two bottom teams. Dutch duo Aniek Nouwen and Ashleigh Weerden put the hosts in control, before Lucy Parker's neat late finish for Villa set up a tense finale. Katie Stengel, though, pounced on a mistake by visiting keeper Sabrina D'Angelo in added time to confirm a crucial victory and move bottom club Palace a point behind their rivals with six games remaining of the season. It was only their second win of the season and first under new manager Leif Smerud, who faces the uphill task of keeping them up in the top flight after replacing Laura Kaminski earlier this month. Villa made a strong start to their relegation fight as Ebony Salmon tested Palace goalkeeper Shae Yanez, before Jill Baijings' dipping strike missed by inches. But it was the hosts who found the 33rd-minute breakthrough against the run of play as defender Nouwen, on loan from Chelsea, struck on her Palace debut. After Stengel's low drive was tipped behind for a corner, Lily Woodham's delivery was flicked on by captain Allyson Swaby towards Nouwen, who headed it well beyond the reach of D'Angelo. It was the Dutch defender's first game in 470 days after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during international duty in December 2023. Smerud's side remained on the ascendancy as Clarissa Larisey and Weerden went close only seconds into the second half. Winger Weerden then fired home in the 53rd minute with an effort from the edge of the box to give Palace a two-goal cushion. Villa rallied as substitute Jordan Nobbs hit the woodwork with a shot from distance and had a free-kick cleared off the line by Woodham, before Parker fired home with five minutes left. But Palace survived a nervy finish and added a third when D'Angelo lost possession well out of her goal and Stengel broke away to finish into the empty net and inflict a fourth straight league defeat on Villa under boss Natalia Arroyo. Defeat to Villa could have meant Palace's hopes of another season in the WSL were all but over. But the impressive win against their fellow strugglers has given them hope, with third-bottom Leicester City just three points clear and also within reach. Palace, who have the worst defence in the league having conceded 40 goals from 16 matches, have looked far more solid defensively since Smerud took charge and also clicked in attack against a lacklustre Villa side. The Norwegian coach now faces an interesting mix of fixtures in his bid to avoid his side returning to the Championship. While challenging games against leaders Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City will follow, it could be the ones against the three sides in the bottom half - Everton, West Ham and Leicester - that could determine Palace's fate. With Villa struggling to find form under Arroyo and on a five-game losing streak in all competitions, Smerud's Eagles will be looking to take advantage and haul themselves above them and out of trouble. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 16th March 2025 at 16: 59 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Leif Gunnar Smerud Formation: 4 - 3 - 1 - 2 Manager: Natalia Arroyo Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Leif Gunnar Smerud Formation: 4 - 3 - 1 - 2 Manager: Natalia Arroyo Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Women's Super League All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Crystal Palace Women 3, Aston Villa Women 1. Second Half ends, Crystal Palace Women 3, Aston Villa Women 1. Goal! Crystal Palace Women 3, Aston Villa Women 1. Katie Stengel (Crystal Palace Women) right footed shot from outside the box to the centre of the goal. Foul by Missy Kearns (Aston Villa Women). Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace Women) wins a free kick on the left wing. Corner, Aston Villa Women. Conceded by Allyson Swaby. Attempt blocked. Mayumi Pacheco (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Substitution, Crystal Palace Women. Elise Hughes replaces Clarissa Larisey. Attempt blocked. Ebony Salmon (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Missy Kearns. Corner, Aston Villa Women. Conceded by Aniek Nouwen. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Substitution, Crystal Palace Women. Izzy Atkinson replaces Ashleigh Weerden. Foul by Ebony Salmon (Aston Villa Women). Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal! Crystal Palace Women 2, Aston Villa Women 1. Lucy Parker (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner following a corner. Corner, Aston Villa Women. Conceded by Clarissa Larisey. Corner, Aston Villa Women. Conceded by Lily Woodham. Attempt blocked. Ebony Salmon (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Nobbs. Attempt missed. Gabi Nunes (Aston Villa Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mayumi Pacheco with a cross. Delay over. 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