Aston Villa Women fall heavily at the hands of Manchester City Women | OneFootball

Aston Villa Women suffered a heavy defeat against Manchester City Women away from home this afternoon.

Words: Regan Foy | @findfoy

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Aston Villa Women travelled to Manchester this afternoon for the reverse fixture against Manchester City Women – with the side looking to make amends for their most recent loss against Bristol City Women in the cup.

It took just two minutes for Manchester City Women to take the lead, with Chloe Kelly found in acres of space down the right, before she played a pass to the far post where the speedy Lauren Hemp was waiting to tap into Lisa Weiß’ net.

Nadine Hanssen almost levelled just five minutes later, as Steph Houghton’s poor pass found Shania Hayles, who raced into the box before squaring the ball to the edge of the box for the Dutch midfielder, who spurned her shot narrowly wide under pressure.

A poor pass from Villa’s Chloe Arthur almost allowed City another goal, with Chloe Kelly failing to make the most of her chance as Asante deflected her shot onto the post.

Jill Scott doubled City’s lead in the 16th minute as Lucy Bronze delivered an inch-perfect ball from deep, which was headed directly towards goal. Scott stayed onside and headed past Weiß for her first Women’s Super League goal of the season.

By the half-hour mark, Manchester City were ahead by three. Georgia Stanway beat the offside trap and ran on to Lucy Bronze’s one-touch pass before racing into the Aston Villa box and firing into the net.

Their fourth came from a set-piece. Chloe Kelly played a corner into the box that Aston Villa’s defenders didn’t attack; leaving Lauren Hemp free to head into the net for her brace in this game just seven minutes from the end of the half.

Five minutes before the end of the half, and Hemp was trying for her hat-trick – firing towards goal from a tight angle and forcing Natalie Haigh to deflect the ball into the back of her own net.

It was six as the clock hit the 45 minute mark. Lisa Weiß was caught flat-footed by a back-pass which she clipped into the path of Lauren Hemp, who squared the ball centrally for Ellen White to tap into the Aston Villa net.

The second half started with two changes, with Chloe Arthur replaced by Elisha N’Dow, and Nadine Hanssen replaced by Mana Iwabuchi.

Chloe Kelly could have bagged a seventh in the 51st minute, working her way into the left-hand side of the box before Elisha N’Dow put the winger under pressure and forcing her shot onto the post.

Three minutes later, and Sophie Haywood replaced Shania Hayles for Aston Villa Women.

The game moved into somewhat of a lull, with Manchester City Women less ruthless in their attacking overloads.

Chloe Kelly finally managed to get on the scoresheet ten minutes from time as she flummoxed Lisa Weiß, kicking the ball between her legs as she rushed to the ball, before firing into an open net.

A poor showing for Aston Villa Women, but against one of the strongest sides in the league. It’s time to dust ourselves down.