Anna 
After 470 days on the sidelines, Aniek Nouwen made a triumphant return to competitive football, scoring in Crystal Palace’s crucial 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Dutch defender suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in December 2023 while playing for the Netherlands Under-23 team. Her comeback was delayed beyond the expected eight to ten months, making her return even more special.
Nouwen, who joined Palace on loan from Chelsea in January, wasted no time making an impact. She opened the scoring with a precise header—her first goal since March 2022—helping the Women’s Super League’s bottom club to a much-needed victory.
A Long-Awaited Moment
“It felt so good,” Nouwen said after the match. “Everything just came together. I can’t describe it in one word. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Scoring a goal and getting the win—it’s amazing.”
Palace’s defense was solid throughout, securing only their second league win of the season. The result moves them within a point of second-bottom Villa and three points behind Leicester City, who are also in the relegation battle.
Fighting for Survival
With six games left, Nouwen emphasized the team’s determination under new manager Leif Smerud.
“We are fighting for everything—the team really came together,” she said. “We’re losing players to injuries, but we keep going. It doesn’t matter who is playing or missing. We fight, and now we know we can do it.”
Palace’s resilience has been evident under Smerud, despite narrow losses to Liverpool in the league and Chelsea in the FA Cup. Against Villa, they weathered early pressure before taking control, with Ashleigh Weerden and Katie Stengel adding goals after Nouwen’s opener. Lucy Parker scored Villa’s only goal.
Praise for Nouwen
Smerud was full of praise for the defender’s comeback performance.
“The way she came into the game after such a long time out tells you everything about her,” he said. “She’s a great player—calm and mentally strong.”
With Nouwen back in the squad, Palace have renewed hope in their fight for survival.
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