Aston Villa and holders Manchester United captured the first two quarter-final places after securing victory in the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Villa triumphed in a five-goal thriller against Women’s Super League opposition Brighton & Hove Albion, winning 3-2 at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
A Nikita Parris brace was not enough for the visitors as Villa put three goals past the Seagulls in the space of 15 minutes to ensure their progression.
Elsewhere in the West Midlands, Manchester United showed their quality with a 6-0 win as they overcame a resilient Wolverhampton Wanderers side to continue their title defence.
It was a day of milestones for the visitors as Leah Galton was on target on her 150th appearance for the club while Mared Griffiths bagged a debut brace to complete a comprehensive victory.
After beating Brighton 3-2, @AVWFCOfficial secure the first spot in the quarter final of the #AdobeWomensFACup 🔥 pic.twitter.com/w2pL5NfBa6
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) February 8, 2025
Aston Villa came off the better in a high scoring encounter in Walsall as they came back from behind to secure a 3-2 victory against Brighton and progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Brighton were first off the mark as Parris seized on a loose touch by Lucy Parker inside the box to slot home the opener for the visitors on the stroke of half time.
But Villa were quick to respond as Anna Patten tapped in at the far post to level scores two minutes later in first-half stoppage time.
The hosts did not deliberate in the second-half, going two goals ahead within ten minutes of the restart.
Rachel Daly nodded home from Jordan Nobbs’ cross before turning the provider for Chastity Grant who drilled a stinging shot across goal and into the bottom corner.
The goal that secured @AVWFCOfficial's spot in the next round of the #AdobeWomensFACup 🎩pic.twitter.com/0L4FYx7Shc
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) February 8, 2025
While Parris bagged her brace to set up a tense finish, latching onto a pass in behind from Madison Haley before finishing in the box, it was not enough for her side.
Villa held on to secure the first spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Manchester United stormed to the second quarter-final place as they put six past FA Women's National League opposition Wolves at the SEAH Stadium.
A resilient Wolves defence made sure defending champions Manchester United had to work for their opener as Bec Thomas proved resilient to their attempts between the sticks.
But Elisabeth Terland proved their undoing in the 26th minute as she latched onto a low cross from Melvine Malard to sweep home and break the deadlock.
The visitors had their second ten minutes later through some brilliant individual skill from Galton. She stormed down the left before cutting back in the box and spotting space at the near post to slot home.
Manchester United's Leah Galton scores on her 150th club appearance 🐐#AdobeWomensFACup @ManUtdWomen pic.twitter.com/M06q3SpxDe
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) February 8, 2025
It took just six minutes after the break for United to extend their lead further. A floated cross from Millie Turner was headed back across goal by Terland where Aoife Mannion was well-placed to slot home.
Ella Toone continued her fine form in front of goal as she fired into the bottom corner from outside the box before Griffiths bagged a brace on her debut to run up six goals for the visitors.
.ashx?cw=800&ch=450&resizemode=crop&jq=100&hash=1DD77B11D4019D3511ECDFDA0015558D510CF511)
