Aston Villa Women suffered their first defeat of the new Women’s Super League season as Manchester City claimed a 4-1 victory at Villa Park.
Natalia Arroyo’s side had opened the campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw away to Chelsea, but the reigning champions proved a different challenge.
Jade Rose and Mary Fowler gave City an early 2-0 lead before Amalie Vangsgaard reduced the deficit shortly before half-time.
Villa therefore went into the interval with a route back into the contest, but Bunny Shaw restored City’s two-goal cushion before a late Mathilde Harviken own goal completed the scoring. Manchester City’s official match report confirms the scorers and key timings from the game.
Manchester City punish Aston Villa Women early
Villa had named a strong side for their first home league match of the season.
Anna Patten returned to the starting XI and took the captain’s armband, while Akane Okuma retained her place in goal after her excellent display at Chelsea.
You can see the confirmed Aston Villa Women XI against Manchester City here.
City made the stronger start.
Rose opened the scoring in the 14th minute after Villa failed to deal with a corner, before Fowler doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 29th minute.
Fowler combined with Lauren Hemp and Bunny Shaw before beating Okuma to make it 2-0. Manchester City’s official report described the visitors as controlling much of the opening period.
Amalie Vangsgaard gives Aston Villa hope
Villa responded just before half-time.
Vangsgaard produced their first shot on target of the half and found the net in the 42nd minute to reduce the deficit.
The goal ensured Villa entered the break only one behind despite City’s strong opening.
It was another encouraging moment for Vangsgaard, who had again been selected to lead Villa’s attack.
Our pre-match Aston Villa Women predicted XI had identified her as one of Arroyo’s main attacking threats.
Villa then attempted to build some momentum after the restart, with Noelle Maritz testing City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita as the hosts looked for an equaliser.
Bunny Shaw ends Aston Villa comeback hopes
City eventually restored their two-goal advantage in the 74th minute.
Hemp played Shaw through and the Jamaica international lifted her finish beyond Okuma to make it 3-1.
That effectively ended Villa’s hopes of completing a comeback.
City then added a fourth in stoppage time when Hemp’s effort was deflected into the net by Harviken.
Reuters also reported that City finished the evening as the only WSL side to win each of their opening two league matches.
For Villa, the final scoreline was harsh after Vangsgaard had briefly brought them back into the contest.
But after taking a point from Chelsea on the opening weekend, this was a reminder of the level Arroyo’s side must reach consistently against the division’s strongest teams.
