Manchester United Women’s impressive start to their season hit a bump in the road as Aston Villa defeated us in the opening group B stage match of the League Cup.
Under pressure as Parris gives us an early lead
Manager Marc Skinner had made nine changes to the side giving those players who hadn’t featured during the most recent wins against Reading and West Ham much needed game time. Ona Batlle who was named captain and Maya Le Tissier were the only players to retain their place.
United started the game having to defend against the opposition attack who had never scored a competitive goal in any previous meetings we had. Villa controlled the possession through the midfield. They nearly took the lead but Rachel Daly’s effort smashed off the crossbar.
Nikita Parris who was making her first start of the season put the Reds ahead with a superb strike on the sixteenth minute. Ona Batlle had got past a number of Villa players after being under pressure before laying the ball off to Parris who have gave the opposition goalkeeper no chance in saving her effort on goal.
The Reds continued to press for another goal but were unable to make the breakthrough before half time.
United unable to press home their advantage
As we went into the second half, the intensity of United had dropped as Villa looked to push their way back into the game. The opposition began to win the first and second balls with Villa’s Laura Brown influencing the midfield battle. Villa had an effort strike the post. This prompted manager Marc Skinner to make changes to the side. Hannah Blundell, Hayley Ladd and Lucia Garcia were brought on to reassert control of the game.
However, this failed to materialise. Rachel Daly equalised for Villa on the 72nd minute. Nikita Parris was replaced by Ella Toone who had a last minute opportunity to score the winning goal when put through on goal before full time but her effort was saved.
With the game level after ninety minutes and with both teams earning a point. A penalty shootout would determine which team would gain the bonus point. United’s goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley made three saves. However, Katie Zelem, Ella Toone, Ona Batlle and Hannah Blundell missed with their efforts seeing the Reds succumb to their first defeat of the season.
United now have two weeks to recover and regroup before they take on Brighton in the Super League on October 16th.