Goals from Stina Blackstenius and Kim Little were enough to defeat a robust Aston Villa team and set up a fifth round tie for Arsenal Women against Bristol City.
Renee Slegers made only two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Manchester United, with Blackstenius coming in to play at 9 alongside Alessia Russo, and Lotte Wubben-Moy coming in for the injured Leah Williamson.
On the bench, we had two goalkeepers, four defenders and three forwards, with no real midfielders, and Laila Harbert missing out again.
While I do not think it makes sense to have four defenders on the bench, it worked out in a way as Emily Fox was subbed very early due to injury. Having that extra security for defensive substitutions proved useful.
Still, you do wonder how we ended up at the end of the game with a double pivot of Pelova and Codina, something we do not want to see against United on Wednesday or Chelsea on Saturday.
The biggest news was Fox’s early withdrawal, as there was confusion over whether it was a precautionary substitution or a concussion-related one. Concussion protocols lead to a compulsory rest and multiple brain checks, while a normal injury substitution would mean Fox would be available for the United and Chelsea games.
Smilla Holmberg, who came on to replace her, was superb, Wubben-Moy was solid, and Little put in a player-of-the-match performance. Overall, Arsenal were deserved winners after upping the intensity and the tempo in the second half.
Arsenal now face two mountains to climb, with Manchester United to beat to reach the Subway Cup final, and Chelsea away in the league to close the gap on second place. They will need to be at their best twice to get the wins.
The fifth round proper is scheduled to take place on Sunday 22 February 2026.
FA Cup fifth round draw in full
1 Manchester City v Sheffield United
2 Liverpool v Everton
3 Chelsea v Manchester United
4 Oxford United v Charlton Athletic
5 West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion
6 London City Lionesses v Tottenham Hotspur
7 Birmingham City v Chatham Town
8 Arsenal v Bristol City