A collective sigh of relief seemed to echo around Kingsmeadow as Chelsea collected their first three points of the post-Emma Hayes era.
Sonia Bompastor, the woman entrusted to replace one of the game’s greatest managers, was given a warm welcome on a balmy night under the lights here on the outskirts of London.
Stepping into the shoes of a giant – and that is simply what the 14-time major trophy winner Hayes is – can be a daunting task. Just ask David Moyes or Arne Slot after last weekend’s defeat at Anfield.
And this Aston Villa side came determined to win their first points in this fixture having lost to Chelsea in all eight of their previous meetings.
The visitors were quietly impressive in the first half. The early signs indicated they could be swallowed up whole by the occasion, but they managed to navigate through a nervy opening few minutes – including a big miss by Chelsea’s Guro Reitein – to gain a foothold.
Reigning champions Chelsea got their Women's Super League title defence off to a perfect start with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa
Sonia Bompastor (pictured) earned her first victory since becoming Blues boss in the summer
Swedish winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (left) scored the only goal of the match with a sublime finish
New signing Missy Bo Kearns looked dangerous in the Number 10 role, linking up well with Chasity Grant on the right wing. Grant should have put Villa ahead midway through the first half, but it was Kearns who found herself blocking her teammates shot.
Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 36th minute through Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who received the ball on the edge of the box, cut back on to her left foot and curled a long-range shot past Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo.
Villa continued to keep the home side at bay for much of the second half, holding the larger share of the possession but ultimately struggling to pose any genuine threat to Hannah Hampton’s goal.
This was in part thanks to Chelsea’s solid defence, where Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan made a formidable partnership in front of their goalkeeper, while new right-back Lucy Bronze brought a calmness to the back line.
Undoubtedly more difficult challenges lie ahead for Bompastor. No manager has ever won the WSL in their first season in charge and the 44-year-old will face sterner tests than an Aston Villa side also navigating change under new head coach Robert de Pauw.
They brought her in for her experience winning the Champions League at Lyon, the one trophy that evaded Hayes, and how she fares in Europe’s elite competition with this experienced squad will probably define her tenure more than anything.
New right-back Lucy Bronze (left) brought a calmness to Chelsea's back line against Villa
New signing Missy Bo Kearns (left) looked dangerous in the Number 10 role as Chelsea surged forward
But the WSL is certainly a priority. Chelsea made history last season when they clinched their fifth consecutive title on the last day of the season, and it’s theirs to lose. Especially considering the personnel they have in their ranks and the new recruits they have made this summer, including five-time Champions League winner Bronze.
The 32-year-old noted to Mail Sport last week that Chelsea has felt like a ‘different universe’ since her arrival from Barcelona. But the Lionesses star appeared right at home at Kingsmeadow, barking orders at her teammates and making her characteristic surges down the right flank.
As the game stretched on and Chelsea were unable to extend their lead, it is the experience of someone like Bronze that they will lean on this season. Bronze and the trusty hands of Hampton, who managed to keep out two lethal headers – one from Rachel Daly and the other from Villa goalkeeper D’Angelo – in the dying moments of the game.
Only time will tell if Bompastor can live up to the weighty expectations of the perennial champions, but three points on the first game of the season is definitely a good place to start.