Manchester United suffered a first Women's Super League defeat of the season, with Aston Villa seeing out a narrow 1-0 win at the Progress With Unity Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
On Remembrance weekend, the stadium bathed in autumnal sunshine fell silent before kick-off as a mark of respect, with tribute also paid to former United kitman Jon Humble, who recently passed away at the age of 44 after a short illness.
Villa took the lead against the run of play through Miriael Taylor in the first half and that proved to be enough, after a stellar defensive effort, to claim a first-ever victory over United in the 14th meeting between the clubs.
FIRST HALF
United dominated the ball from kick-off, particularly favouring the left flank as Gabby George, Fridolina Rolfo and Ella Toone all combined well in pockets to create crossing opportunities. During a rarer attack down the other side, a ball in from Jess Park had enough fade on it that it wasn't actually very far away from nestling in Sabrina D'Angelo's top corner.
But a stubborn Villa, possessing the WSL's third best defensive record coming into this one, made things incredibly tough by squeezing every space – the visitors lined up in a disciplined 3-5-2 that simply refused to be pulled out of position.
A focus on not allowing United to find any gaps meant their attacking play had been limited, but a Kirsty Hanson turn of pace created the best chance of the opening 25 minutes, squaring for youngster Georgia Mullett in the box. 2025 Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper nominee Phallon Tullis-Joyce was equal to it, getting her body behind the low attempt.
Taylor's opening goal towards the end of the first half came from a set-piece. Tullis-Joyce punched clear the initial corner delivery, but the Villa midfielder, positioned on the edge of the penalty area, was able to adjust her body position to the bouncing ball and guide it into the net.
SECOND HALF
With work to do, Marc Skinner brought the changes nine minutes after the restart, a triple substitution as Leah Galton, Melvine Malard and Anna Sandberg all came on. Villa then threatened to score a second with a long ball that put Missy Bo Kearns through on goal, but nipping at her heels was Hinata Miyazawa, managing to get a crucial foot on the ball just as the Villa captain took the shot.
Galton and Malard were having a positive impact on the game and both were involved as United almost drew level just after the hour mark. After a cross from the left, the eventual effort from Toone at the back post was somehow blocked on the line by Anna Patten. Galton was then denied by a block at close-range as United began to increase the pressure and ignite the crowd.
Galton and Toone caught further glimpses of goal as the second half progressed, only for Villa to continually get bodies in the way of the ball at the key moment. Meanwhile, the long ball remained Villa's most dangerous outlet and there was another instance of Kearns bearing down on goal, but checked back under pressure from Maya Le Tissier and was blocked off.
Into the final 10 minutes, Skinner's final change saw Rachel Williams enter the fray to give the Villa defence something different to think about. A header from her on target fell into the grateful grasp of D'Angelo, before Malard was unable to divert a low cross goalward and was adamant the final touch came off a defender.
Stoppage time gave United another six minutes to find an equaliser, which saw Williams direct another header goalward that was again saved and held by D'Angelo, and a last-ditch corner clawed away almost from under the bar after Tullis-Joyce had gone up.
Natalia Arroyo had vowed pre-game to keep things tight after a heavy home defeat at the hands of United last season and Villa were ultimately successful in their objective.
Next up, we host Paris Saint-Germain in a historic Champions League clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, seeking to maintain a 100 per cent start in our debut European campaign.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier (c), Janssen, George (Sandberg 54); Naalsund (Zigiotti 66), Miyazawa; Park (Willams 82), Toone, Rolfo (Galton 54); Terland (Malard 54).
Subs not used: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, Blundell, Awujo.
Aston Villa: D'Angelo; Wilms, Patten, Deslandes; Maritz, Kendall, Taylor, Kearns (c), Grant (Mayling 72); Mullett (Daly 65), Hanson (Salmon 90+2).
Subs not used: Roebuck, Maltby, Sallaway.
Goal: Taylor 36.
Attendance: 3,434.