WSL: Man City deny Aston Villa thanks to Lauren Hemp and Jill Roord | OneFootball

With the international break looming, Manchester City staged a second half Women’s Super League comeback to take all three points from Aston Villa at the Joie Stadium.

Gabi Nunes opened the scoring for Villa before Lauren Hemp and Jill Roord rescued the win for Gareth Taylor’s side. Man City last faced Aston Villa on the final day of the 2023/24 season, with the Sky Blues taking another narrow 2-1 victory.

Starting XIs

Manchester City

Yamashita; Aleixandri, Greenwood, Fowler, Roord, Hemp, Ouahabi, Park, Aleixandri, Shaw, Hasegawa

Aston Villa

D’Angelo; Patten, Kearns, Nobbs, Daly, Robinson, Turner, Parker, Maritz, Hanson, Nunes

Man City spark late comeback

After an end-to-end start to the match, it was Aston Villa who opened the scoring. A perfectly placed finish from Nunes put the visitors ahead with 20 minutes on the clock. The remainder of the first half played out with numerous half chances for both sides.

While City dominated possession, they were unable to make any of their efforts stick. The match marks the third consecutive game in which the Sky Blues have conceded first. Once again, a lack of intensity and speed in attack left Taylor’s side with plenty to do as they went in behind at the break.

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The second half brought a far more lively start for the hosts, with Laia Aleixandri continuously pushing her side up the pitch. The 62nd minute finally saw City restore the deadlock as Hemp lofted the ball over Sabrina D’Angelo. Just eight minutes later, Roord put the hosts ahead, bundling the ball home through a crowded penalty area.

The three points move Manchester City top of the WSL table, having taken 13 points from their opening five games. Aston Villa finish the match sitting in tenth place, with the Villans still yet to claim their first league win this season.

Up next

Manchester City return to league action with a visit to newly promoted Crystal Palace before hosting Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Friday, November 8th.

Aston Villa will welcome Liverpool to Villa Park following the international break, ahead of a tricky away day to Manchester United.

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