Aston Villa vs Manchester United LIVE: Women's Super League result, final score and reaction

Follow all the action from Villa Park

Rachel Williams scored a late winner for Manchester United (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Manchester United came from behind to defeat Aston Villa 2-1 in their opening game of the Women’s Super League (WSL) season at Villa Park on Sunday, with substitute Rachel Williams scoring the late winner.

With the game into the second minute of added time, a cross into the box from Nikita Parris found Williams, and her header back across the goal beat Villa keeper Daphne van Domselaar to snatch the winning goal.

“It was a top match, we fought to the very end. We are very happy to score the two goals and come back from behind. It was hard work but we just kept going,” United’s other scorer Lucia Garcia said.

Last season’s WSL runners-up United fell behind in the 76th minute to a Rachel Daly goal. Daly, top scorer last season, controlled a pass from Adriana Leon before firing past keeper Mary Earps.

Villa’s goal came just two minutes after they had Kirsty Hanson sent off for a high tackle on Hayley Ladd, but their lead lasted just three minutes.

A scramble from a United corner kick saw the ball fall to Garcia and the Spaniard’s first-time shot found the net. With the extra player, United knew they still had time for a winner.

Aston Villa vs Manchester United LIVE: Women's Super League updates

• Aston Villa Women: van Domselaar, Mayling, Corsie, Patten, Turner, Parker, Staniforth, Hanson, Lehmann, Daly, Blindkilde
• Man Utd Women: Earps, Blundell, Turner, Le Tissier, George, Ladd, Zelem, Garcia, Toone, Galton, Geyse

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Corner, Aston Villa Women. Conceded by Maya Le Tissier.

1 October 2023 13:53

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

1 October 2023 13:52

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Delay in match because of an injury Ebony Salmon (Aston Villa Women).

1 October 2023 13:51

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

1 October 2023 13:50

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Delay in match because of an injury Rachel Daly (Aston Villa Women).

1 October 2023 13:49

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

1 October 2023 13:47

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Delay in match because of an injury Lucy Parker (Aston Villa Women).

1 October 2023 13:46

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Attempt missed. Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Lucy Staniforth.

1 October 2023 13:44

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Foul by Gabrielle George (Manchester United Women).

1 October 2023 13:43

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Attempt missed. Lucía García (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Hayley Ladd.

1 October 2023 13:41