Manchester United Women tasted their first defeat of the season in all competitions, losing 1-0 to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
United dominated possession early on but could not pose much threat to Villa’s defence.
The visitors also failed to create any chances in the early stages, with their play characterised by sloppy passing.
Five minutes before the half-hour mark, United registered their first shot on goal when Fridolina Rolfo fired wide.
Villa nearly opened the scoring shortly after, but Georgia Mullett’s effort could not beat goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
They finally got the breakthrough in the 36th minute as United failed to deal with a corner, allowing Miri Taylor to volley the ball home.
Noelle Maritz was close to doubling the Villa’s lead early in the second half as she almost picked out the top corner from the edge of the box.
Ella Toone had the chance to restore parity for United, only to be denied by a last-ditch block from Anna Patt.
Another opportunity fell to United’s Rachel Williams, who rose the highest to meet Anna Sandberg’s cross, but her header was gathered by goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo.
Tullis-Joyce nearly salvaged a draw for United, jumping to meet a cross, but could not connect to it, marking the last chance of the game.
The result marked the Mancunian giants’ first ever defeat in all competitions to the West Midlands side.
United are now three points adrift of table-toppers Chelsea who secured a 1-1 draw at Arsenal.
Marc Skinner’s side are back in action on Wednesday, when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Women’s Champions League.
