WSL: Man Utd come from behind to beat 10-women Villa

Manchester United came from behind to defeat 10-women Aston Villa in an exciting Women's Super League opener.

Scotland winger Kirsty Hanson was sent off in the second half at Villa Park for a high tackle on midfielder Hayley Ladd. The hosts, however, took an unexpected lead minutes later when England's Rachel Daly drilled into the bottom corner.

Villa's joy was short-lived, as United responded quickly, with Spain forward Lucía García's first-time shot finding the back of the net after a scramble from a United corner kick to make it 1-1.

And United completed the comeback to win the WSL season opener in dramatic fashion when Nikita Parris' cross into the box found Rachel Williams, and her header back across the goal beat Villa goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar as the game entered the second minute of added time.

"It was a top match, we fought to the very end. We are very happy to score the two goals and come back from behind. It was hard work but we just kept going," García said.

Despite their defeat, Villa demonstrated their credentials as a team that hopes to disrupt the WSL's usual top four this season, while United used their squad to great effect and won.

Villa had the best chance in a frantic first half, but Alisha Lehmann couldn't keep her shot down from just inside the box, and Villa striker Daly hit the crossbar early in the second half with one of their best chances.

Brazilian forward Geyse, who joined United from Barcelona in the summer, was a standout performer, causing problems with her pace and forcing a save from debutant Daphne van Domselaar early on, while Parris later stung the Netherlands goalkeeper's fingertips.

Overall, it was a fantastic spectacle at Villa Park in front of 12,533 fans, a WSL record crowd for Villa.

SportsLigue