Stina Blackstenius hit a first-half hat-trick as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0 in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup semi-finals.
The Gunners had effectively secured their place in the final with under 20 minutes played, scoring three times in front of a crowd of 3,507 at Meadow Park.
They were one up on nine minutes when Frida Maanum’s through ball was collected by Blackstenius, who fired past Anna Leat on her near post.
Two minutes later and the Swede had her second of the night, after Beth Mead’s cross was helped on by Alessia Russo for a tap in.
Maanum curled home the third from the edge of the area in the 18th minute, Blackstenius then completed her treble before the break.
Arsenal’s Katie McCabe was denied by the crossbar in a difficult first 45 for Villa, who lost Kirsty Hanson to injury.
The second semi-final sees Manchester City host Chelsea at the Joie Stadium tonight (Thursday) at 7.15pm, live on The FA Player.
The final will be on Sunday 31 March at Molineux and broadcast live on the BBC, with tickets available here.
