Aston Villa Women battled back to earn a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion as Lynn Wilms struck late to rescue a valuable WSL point.
Natalia Arroyo’s side travelled to the American Express Stadium still searching for their first league victory of the season.
Villa had already earned an encouraging opening-day draw against Chelsea before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at Villa Park.
Brighton threatened to inflict another setback after moving ahead in the second half.
However, Villa refused to let the contest escape them.
Wilms eventually found the equaliser late on to ensure Arroyo’s side returned to Birmingham with a point from their third league game.
Aston Villa Women forced to stay patient at Brighton
There was little to separate the teams during a competitive opening half.
Villa had to deal with periods of Brighton pressure while looking for opportunities to establish themselves further up the pitch.
The hosts were also searching for their first WSL victory of the new campaign.
That created a contest in which neither side could afford to become too open.
Villa entered the afternoon having already shown their ability to remain competitive away from home.
Their point at Stamford Bridge came despite Chelsea creating considerably more chances, with goalkeeper Akane Okuma producing a standout display.
The defeat against Manchester City presented a very different challenge.
City punished Villa early and forced Arroyo’s team to chase the game.
Brighton therefore represented another test for a squad that underwent significant change during the summer.
We looked at the scale of that transition in our Aston Villa Women rebuild analysis.
Lynn Wilms gives Aston Villa Women their reward
Brighton eventually found the breakthrough after the interval.
Villa were suddenly facing the prospect of a second successive WSL defeat.
Their response was important.
Rather than allowing Brighton to control the closing stages, Arroyo’s team continued searching for a route back into the match.
Wilms provided it.
The Netherlands international pushed forward and produced the late equaliser that Villa needed.
Her contribution was another reminder of the attacking quality she can provide from defence.
Wilms joined Villa from Wolfsburg in July 2025 and has since become an important part of Arroyo’s side.
The defender contributed regularly in attacking areas last season as well as fulfilling several different defensive roles.
Against Brighton, that ability to influence the game further forward proved decisive.
Villa still searching for first WSL win
The draw leaves Villa with two points from their opening three WSL matches.
That record does not tell the entire story.
Arroyo’s side have already faced Chelsea and reigning champions Manchester City before travelling to Brighton.
The opening weeks have therefore provided a demanding examination of the rebuilt squad.
There are still areas requiring improvement.
Villa need to turn competitive performances into victories as the season develops.
However, recovering from a losing position at Brighton at least prevented another defeat and gives Arroyo something positive to carry into the next fixture.
The official WSL schedule confirms Villa return to league action away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 27 September.
Before that, attention turns to cup competition.
Nottingham Forest cup trip comes next
Villa have little time to dwell on the Brighton result.
They travel to Nottingham Forest Women on Wednesday 23 September in the Subway Players Cup.
The official competition fixture list confirms a 7pm BST kick-off at the City Ground.
The competition was previously known as the Women’s League Cup but has been renamed for 2026/27.
A new league-phase system has also replaced the old group format.
That gives Arroyo another opportunity to use the depth created by Villa’s summer recruitment while attempting to build momentum.
Sunday’s point will not completely satisfy Villa.
They remain without a WSL victory after three matches.
But Wilms’ late intervention ensured they avoided travelling home empty-handed and maintained their ability to respond when a game threatened to move away from them.
