bbc.co.uk

Man Utd suffer first WSL loss of season to Villa

Miri Taylor celebrates with her Aston Villa team-matesGetty Images

At a glance

Manchester United taste defeat in the WSL for the first time this season

Miri Taylor scores her first goal of the season for Villa

Villa up to sixth after second WSL win of the season

Timothy Abraham

BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United suffered their first Women's Super League defeat of the season as Miri Taylor's first-half strike gave Aston Villa a gritty victory.

Taylor put Villa in front in the 35th minute with a crisp volley after she latched on to United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce's weak punch from a corner.

For the the majority of the contest, United looked lethargic at Leigh Sports Village and struggled to break down a disciplined Villa backline.

United's best chance fell to Ella Toone just after the hour mark but she was denied inside the six-yard box by a last-ditch block from Anna Patten.

Experienced striker Rachel Williams twice got on the end of crosses late on but could only head straight at Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo on both occasions.

Chelsea, who drew 1-1 at Arsenal in Saturday's other match, are top of the table.

United are now three points behind the leaders in third spot while Villa's second win of the season lifted them up to sixth on 10 points.

More to follow

The Player Rater cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable JavaScript or try another browser.

Player of the match

K. Hanson

8.39

Manchester United

Aston Villa

91P. Tullis-Joyce

6.17

4M. Le Tissier

5.88

7E. Toone

5.54

8J. Park

5.18

20H. Miyazawa

5.09

11L. Galton

4.96

17D. Janssen

4.92

9M. Malard

4.91

12F. Rolfö

4.79

14J. Riviere

4.77

18J. Zigiotti Olme

4.74

28R. Williams

4.58

3G. George

4.52

16L. Naalsund

4.44

2A. Sandberg

4.44

10E. Terland

4.42

Back to team tabs

20K. Hanson

8.39

4A. Patten

8.10

7M. Kearns

8.00

9R. Daly

8.00

25M. Taylor

7.96

21L. Kendall

7.71

24O. Deslandes

7.65

16N. Maritz

7.48

23C. Grant

7.40

2S. Mayling

7.32

18G. Mullett

7.12

1S. D'Angelo

7.00

14L. Wilms

6.73

17E. Salmon

6.43

Back to team tabs

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

A graphic that reads 'Follow our women's football TikTok' with a picture of a mobile phone

Head here to get involved