Manchester City made easy work of banking their first three points of the season following a win on the road. A brace from Georgia Stanway brushed aside Aston Villa on their home soil.
Captain Steph Houghton led her team out at Villa Park on her 100th league appearance for the club. It would soon play out to be a centurion match to remember.
The visitors breezed to a 2-0 win after asserting their dominance over the Women’s Super League newcomers.
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Aston Villa struggled to contain City, who deployed a hungry looking Stanway in front of goal.
The 21-year-old got her campaign off to a dream start after her sixth minute strike opened up her scoring portfolio. Her high pressing forced Villa defender Natalie Haigh into a costly error that would set the tone for the rest of the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesStanway capitalised on yet another defensive mistake after goalkeeper Sian Rogers gifted the forward with a weak goal kick. Grateful for another easy opportunity, the forward stroked the ball home to double City’s lead.
Luckily for the Villains, City were lacking their usual electricity up front. More errors from Rogers could have put the visitors out of reach inside the first half, but several chances were squandered by Stanway and Sam Mewis.
Despite a strong first 45 minutes, Gareth Taylor’s side dipped in the second half. Half chances fell to Mewis, Stanway and substitute Ellen White but none found the back of the net.
White hit the woodwork and had a goal ruled offside late on in the match. Man City’s attacking threat definitely improved with her presence on the pitch.
Embed from Getty ImagesVilla surged into energy but similarly couldn’t make City pay for their slow passing in the middle of the park.
Several offside calls were also given, with two arguably flagged incorrectly.
Neither defence looked particularly sharp but the Mancunians come away with the clean sheet and all three points.
They’ll hope to get into a winning streak next weekend as they host Brighton and Hove Albion. Aston Villa will face off against Reading in their first away match of the season.