Matildas captain Sam Kerr produced a brilliant stoppage-time winner against Aston Villa in the Women's Super League to give Chelsea a rare moment of cheer at the end of a traumatic week for the London club.

Kerr scored two minutes into stoppage time, taking a raking long ball from Blues goalkeeper Zećira Mušović down on her chest and poking past the on-rushing Hannah Hampton with a single touch to secure a 1-0 win.

The brilliant goal was only matched for excellence by Kerr's exuberant goal celebrations, wheeling away down the touchline, whipping off her shirt and waving it around her head as she was smothered by team-mates and head coach, Emma Hayes.

While it brought her the inevitable booking, the Australian's celebrations prompted laughs and cheers from the fans at Kingsmeadow, who had a moment of welcome distraction amid a troubling few days.

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This was Chelsea women's first home match since owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned and the UK government effectively took over, leaving a cloud hanging over the club's future.

The sanctions ensured only season ticket holders or those who had bought individual match tickets before March 10 were able to attend Sunday's game.

Kerr eventually made their day after having missed a few chances, being denied by a brilliant save from Hampton and having an 81st-minute goal ruled out for offside.

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Yet once again, she proved her mastery when it mattered most after Mušović's long pass evaded everyone and landed in her predatory path, allowing her to convert her 11th WSL goal of the season.

It put her back on top of the goalscoring charts, one ahead of Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema, as she chases a second consecutive Golden Boot award as league top scorer.

Kerr's winner means reigning champions Chelsea are still in the race for the 2021/22 title, currently sitting five points behind leaders Arsenal with two games in hand.

Arsenal eased past Brighton 3-0 in the day's late game, with Kerr's national teammates Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord in action for the Gunners.

Another in-form Matildas player is Manchester City's Hayley Raso, whose run and cross set up Caroline Weir's second-half strike in a 1-0 win at Tottenham.

Spurs' Australian striker Kyah Simon wasn't so lucky though, having to come off in the first half with what appeared to be a dislocated finger on her left hand.

AAP/ABC