Joanna Rytting Kaneryd’s goal ensured Chelsea began life under new manager Sonia Bompastor with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. The Swede’s 36th-minute curled left-footed stunner was enough for the Women’s Super League champions to overcome a stern challenge from Villa, who were also managed by Robert de Pauw for the first time.

Sonia Bompastor collected her first points as Chelsea manager with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa on the opening night of the Women’s Super League.

Chelsea at last gain some territory when Reiten is pulled down. 80 min: Some touchline histrionics from Robert de Pauw. His team have been pretty impressive and well organised. 78 min: Reiten goes in to come back out again but Chelsea fail to get the ball into the centre.

Sonia Bompastor led Chelsea to victory in her first WSL match in charge as they narrowly beat Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow.

Chelsea host Aston Villa in the opening match of the Women’s Super League season at Kingsmeadow to mark the start of a new era for the Blues under Sonia Bompastor. The Blues won the WSL for a fifth consecutive season last campaign under the departing Emma Hayes and Bompastor has big shoes to fill after arriving from Lyon for a new era in the women’s game.

Chelsea begin life under Sonia Bompastor with nervy opening Women's Super League win over Aston Villa - Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s first-half goal proved enough for three points at Kingsmeadow

The club itself has been carved out from underneath the Chelsea men’s umbrella, and is now its own separate entity, on and off the pitch. But, as they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.