'World's sexiest footballer' Alisha Lehmann is left with a bloodied nose after battling victory for Switzerland over Sweden... as former team-mate labels her 'so brave, strong and sexy'

Alisha Lehmann was left with a bloodied face after a battling victory for Switzerland over Sweden in the Women's Nations League.

Aston Villa star Lehmann, 24 - dubbed the 'world's sexiest footballer' - helped her nation shock World Cup semi-finalists Sweden 1-0 in snowy conditions in the Swiss city of Luzern.

However, Lehmann's game was marred by a collision that left her with a bloodied nose and forced her to be subbed off after 70 minutes.

Taking to Instagram - where she has 16 million followers and is the most-followed female footballer - she said: 'Big fight yesterday, so happy with the 3 points and so proud of the team.'

Lehmann attached several snaps from the game including one of her running with the ball, another celebrating Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic's goal, along with a clip of her heading off to get treatment on her injury.

Ruesha Littlejohnm, Lehmann's former team-mate at Aston Villa then jumped in with a supportive response as she commented: 'So brave, so strong, so sexy'.

The victory helped Switzerland secure their first points in the Nations League after struggling in a group with Italy, Spain and Sweden.

For their opponents, the defeat means they will now not be able to qualify for next year's Olympics, in what is the first time they will have ever missed out on the competition.

Lehmann's injury comes after she was targeted by trolls on international duty last month for wearing make-up during her country's 7-1 defeat by Switzerland.

But the abuse she received on the post is nothing new - she spoke out this summer about how she deals with trolls, many of which have sent her vile messages telling her to 'stay in the kitchen', insisting it gives her strength.

'A lot of times people say: "Women can't play football, they should be in the kitchen",' Lehmann told Sky Sports.

'You know what I think actually? It's obviously not a nice thing to say because we train so hard every single day, but it gives me more strength.

'I feel bad as my mum sends me stuff. I say to her: "Don't read this, I would never read it". I don't really care (about the comments), to be honest. I just don't read or look. I just flip it off and focus on the good comments.

'It's always easy to say stuff behind a computer. I don't think people would stand in front of our female footballers and say: "You can't play".'

Lehmann will hope to be back to full fitness for Switzerland's clash with Italy on Tuesday before Villa travel to face Man City in the WSL next Saturday.