Renee Slegers made seven changes to the side that fought back from a first-leg defeat to beat eight-time European champions Lyon 5-3 on aggregate.
And the alterations appeared to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm. They looked far from their best as an injury-depleted Villa squad piled pressure on a shaky Arsenal backline.
Having dominated chances in the early stages, Villa were eventually rewarded after half an hour with a goal in a blistering counter-attack.
After Sabrina D’Angelo pulled off a double save at one end, the hosts sped towards the other with Ebony Salmon waltzing past Steph Catley easily before cutting the ball back for Nobbs, who calmly slotted in against her former club.
Hanson slammed a 20-yard strike in just before the break, while Grant took advantage of a heavy touch from Katie McCabe to tap past an on-rushing Manuela Zinsberger right after play resumed.
Unhappy with her team’s performance, Slegers made three half-time changes with Leah Williamson, Kim Little and Russo coming on for Lotte Wubben-Moy, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Victoria Pelova.
However, the trio struggled to make a meaningful impact and Villa grabbed a fourth when Hanson slipped in Daly with a clever through ball before the former England international shrugged off Katie Reid and poked into the far corner.
A glimmer of hope offered by Blackstenius and Russo’s goals was immediately shattered as Grant and Jill Baijings combined with a one-two to split Arsenal’s defence, with Grant darting forward and effortlessly lifting the ball over Zinsberger.
