Chelsea give Sonia Bompastor winning start in nervy clash with Aston Villa

WINNING START: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Lucy Bronze. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Sonia Bompastor's first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a nervy 1-0 win against Aston Villa on the opening night of the Women's Super League season at Kingsmeadow.

Tasked with the unenviable job of succeeding Emma Hayes, under whom the Blues five consecutive WSL titles, the former Lyon manager saw her new side edge to an unconvincing victory courtesy of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's excellent solo goal late in the first half, steering the ball beyond Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo in a moment of rare quality.