Kerr’s 24th goal of the season 14 minutes after the break was enough to see off a valiant Villa side at the Poundland Bescot Stadium and keep Chelsea on course to win this competition for a third consecutive year.
Villa were aiming to reach the final for the first time in their history but can take pride in pushing the holders all the way in Walsall and, had Sarah Mayling’s effort seven minutes before full-time been the right side of the post, it could have been a different story.
The result also kept alive Chelsea’s hopes of a treble this season. Emma Hayes’ side are a point behind United in the WSL with a game in hand and are also in the Champions League semi-finals, where they face Barcelona.