Man Utd suffer first WSL loss of season to Villa

Manchester United suffered their first Women's Super League defeat of the season as Miri Taylor's first-half strike gave Aston Villa a gritty victory.

Taylor put Villa in front in the 35th minute with a crisp volley after she latched on to United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce's weak punch from a corner.

For the the majority of the contest, United looked lethargic at Leigh Sports Village and struggled to break down a disciplined Villa backline.

United's best chance fell to Ella Toone just after the hour mark but she was denied inside the six-yard box by a last-ditch block from Anna Patten.

Experienced striker Rachel Williams twice got on the end of crosses late on but could only head straight at Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo on both occasions.

Chelsea, who drew 1-1 at Arsenal in Saturday's other match, are top of the table.

United are now three points behind the leaders in third spot while Villa's second win of the season lifted them up to sixth on 10 points.

United head coach Marc Skinner had lavished praise on his players after their impressive start to the season.

"We're playing better football than we've probably ever played," he said on the eve of this match.

With more goals (19) than any other side in the WSL, the hype might have been justified.

However, they were brought back down to earth after ending their unbeaten record with this largely underwhelming display against Villa.

United initially looked the more polished outfit with some slick interplay but were sapped of energy after they fell behind.

They failed to register a single effort on target in the first half and apart from a late corner that had D'Angelo stretching before it hit the crossbar, the Villa goalkeeper had a relatively easy afternoon.

Skinner will hope this was just an off day as they face a pivotal week.

United host Paris St-Germain at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:00 GMT) before a derby against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium next Saturday (13:30).

They will need to be much better than they were against Villa to be serious contenders in either game.

Aston Villa have now scored five goals from set-pieces this season - the joint-highest in the WSL with Manchester City.

That figure is more than double their entire total of two from last season, but it should not detract from a more complete performance.

In truth, the margin of victory perhaps should have been greater for Natalia Arroyo's side.

From a base of defensive fortitude, Villa could have been reserved against a free-scoring United side.

Instead, as confidence grew, they showed plenty of ambition at the other end of the pitch.

Georgia Mullett should have given them the lead shortly before the half-hour mark when she got on end of Kirsty Hanson cross only to shoot straight at Tullis-Joyce.

Taylor, who has recently switched international allegiance from England to Scotland, scored the decisive goal a few moments later.

The ball fell to her from a weak clearance by Tullis-Joyce but she executed a volley through a crowded box in style.

Villa had chances to increase their lead in the second half before they closed the game out to secure their first win over United in 11 WSL meetings.

With two wins and a draw in their last three WSL matches, Villa's season feels like it is truly up and running.

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