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

Follow all the action from Villa Park

Sports Staff
Sunday 01 October 2023 15:41 BST
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Rachel Williams scored a late winner for Manchester United
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.

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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Attempt blocked. Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Leah Galton.

1 October 2023 13:11
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Attempt missed. Alisha Lehmann (Aston Villa Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box.

1 October 2023 13:08
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

1 October 2023 13:03
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Foul by Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women).

1 October 2023 13:03
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Offside, Manchester United Women. Leah Galton tries a through ball, but Lucía García is caught offside.

1 October 2023 13:02
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Attempt missed. Leah Galton (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Lucía García.

1 October 2023 13:00
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Attempt saved. Millie Turner (Manchester United Women) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Katie Zelem with a cross.

1 October 2023 12:59
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.

1 October 2023 12:58
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Rachel Corsie (Aston Villa Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

1 October 2023 12:57
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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Geyse Ferreira (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.

1 October 2023 12:57

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