Manchester United suffered their first defeat of the season as Aston Villa left Leigh Sports Village with all three points this afternoon, thanks to a decisive strike from Miri Taylor.
It was a quiet first half for both sides, but particularly for the hosts, who failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes – a surprise given their status as the league’s top scorers so far this campaign.
Villa broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Taylor volleyed home on the rebound. After Phallon Tullis-Joyce failed to fully clear the danger from a corner kick, Taylor was positioned perfectly inside the penalty area to fire into the bottom left corner.
The goal boosted Villa’s confidence, and they came out after the break pushing for a second to extend their lead.
Missy Bo Kearns had two promising chances, but Hinata Miyazawa and Maya Le Tissier stood firm at the back to keep the deficit to one.
Chasing the game, Marc Skinner made several changes in the second half. Substitutes Melvine Malard and Leah Galton injected fresh energy into United’s attack, but frustration grew as efforts were denied by both the woodwork and a superb Anna Patten block inside the box.
While Villa remained disciplined, Skinner turned to his trusted super-sub Rachel Williams with ten minutes remaining, and the 37-year-old twice came close to an equaliser. However, both of her headers were comfortably gathered by Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo.
It will be rued as a missed opportunity for United who stay third, three points off leaders Chelsea following their 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates.
And at the start of a testing week, it sets a disappointing tone, as they next host Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford in the Champions League before facing Manchester City next weekend.
For Aston Villa, this was a huge result that lifts them to sixth place and secures just their second win of the campaign.
Starting XIs:
Manchester United (4-1-4-1) : Tullis-Joyce (GK); Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, George; Park; Miyazawa, Naalsund, Toone, Rolfo; Terland
Aston Villa (3-5-2) : D’Angelo (GK), Wilms, Patten, Deslandes, Grant, Kendall, Taylor, B.Kearns, Maritz; Mullet, Hanson