The Women’s Super League returned to BBC2 with a massive opening fixture between Aston Villa and Manchester United.
The departures of key players Alessia Russo and Ona Battle from the Manchester United side during this summer’s transfer window did not stop the red devils from achieving an incredible 2-1 victory over the villans. Both sides were evenly matched until an unfortunate mistake in the 74 th minute from Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson which caused the team to go down to 10 players after a very dangerous high leg tackle on Manchester United player Hayley Ladd.
The Scottish international immediately knew that she was going to be sent off and walked straight off the pitch with her head in her hands down the tunnel at Villa Park. Despite Kirsty Hanson being sent off Aston Villa did not lose hope in the 76 th minute lioness Rachel Daly scored the first goal of the match putting them 1-0 up against the visitors her England teammate Mary Earps was at full stretch, but nothing could keep the ball out of the net. However, Manchester United took advantage of a counterattack leading to a 79 th minute equaliser from Lucía García. The match looked as if it was going to end 1-1 until an injury time 90+2 minute goal from 35-year-old Rachel Williams secured Manchester United the 3 points they thoroughly deserved.
Despite Kirsty Hanson being sent off Aston Villa did not lose hope
The results for the opening week of the WSL are as follows: Aston Villa 1-2 Man United Everton 1-2 Brighton Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool Bristol City 2-4 Leicester City- West Ham 0-2 Manchester City Chelsea 2-1 Spurs