Arsenal Women 4-0 Aston Villa Women: Stina Blackstenius nets first-half hat-trick as Gunners cruise into Continental Cup final

Stina Blackstenius' first-half hat-trick saw holders Arsenal cruise into the Continental Cup final with a 4-0 win over a poor Aston Villa.

The Gunners found themselves in complete control with less than 11 minutes gone after Blackstenius first rifled home an opener before bundling in a second barely 90 seconds apart.

Arsenal put the game beyond doubt inside 18 minutes when she curled in the pick of the goals from 20 yards, before Blackstenius sealed the match ball with a deft header from Lotte Wubben-Moy's cross.

Maanum thought she had added a fifth shortly after the interval but was denied by a narrow offside call.

After that narrow escape, Villa improved to hold their hosts in the second half, but were already soundly beaten - as the Gunners progressed to defend their crown against Chelsea or Man City on March 31.

Arsenal have a week off due to being out of the FA Cup but return to action on Friday March 15 when they head to title rivals Chelsea in the WSL, live on Sky Sports from 6.30pm; kick-off 7pm.

Aston Villa also get some rest before heading to Everton in the WSL on Saturday March 16; kick-off 1pm.

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