Aston Villa Women: Three things learned from 1-1 draw v Manchester City
Aston Villa claimed a well-earned point as they drew 1-1 against Manchester City in the Women’s Super League at The Academy Stadium on Saturday (21 January).
The first half was a nervy affair, until City attacker Deyna Castellanos’ brought the game to life with a wonderfully taken goal on the half-hour mark.
It took just two minutes for Villa to level proceedings as the game suddenly opened up when Kirsty Hanson smartly struck home a loose ball into the roof of the city net from six yards out.
Villa held out under a late barrage of Manchester City pressure to claim a point in a highly entertaining match.
Here are three things we learnt during the 1-1 draw against their high-flying counterparts.
Toe to toe
Although Aston Villa defeated Manchester City 4-3 on the opening day of the season, that performance couldn’t have been much different to the one on Saturday (21 January).
The first match between the pair in September was a crazy, breathless encounter that left little to the imagination.
But, after the signings of Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Staniforth in midfield and with another four months working with Ward under their belts, Villa matched City in all facets of the game and looked like a side who were better than their WSL position suggests.
Although starting in nervy fashion, the Villans grew into the game and created their fair share of chances as the game wore on. Anna Patten did a great job restricting City striker Khadija Shaw to crumbs, and the midfield trio of Nobbs, Staniforth and Kenza Dali did a great job disrupting the home side’s attacking play.
The difference in the two performances was the level of maturity Ward’s side showed and suggested they can now compete with the league’s top-four sides.
Options
Considering Villa only had three outfield players on the bench for their clash against Manchester United before Christmas, the look of Ward’s bench on Saturday was a far more pleasant sight to behold.
Defender Rachel Corsie was deemed fit enough to return to the sidelines alongside Alisha Lehmann, Emily Gielnik, Olivia McLoughlin and the returning Ruesha Littlejohn as outfield options.
With Remi Allen also closing in on a return to proceedings, the options Ward has to choose from provide brilliant flexibility to impact proceedings in the closing stages of matches.
Lehmann and Corsie were both called from the bench at the beginning of the second half and added dynamism from the bench, while Littlejohn added experience when the legs around her started to tire in the latter stages of the match.
Hanson continues flying form
Hanson is possibly in the best form of her career, as she made it five attacking returns from her last five games when she scooped home Villa’s equaliser on the half-hour mark.
The goal was an impressive finish, but the position she took up would have pleased Ward even more, as she attempted to run beyond the Manchester City back-line when Rachel Daly played the cross in.
After arriving from Manchester United in the summer, Hanson has admitted she lacked confidence and placed too much pressure on herself, so kudos must go to Ward for the way she has nurtured her back to her flying best.
Following her goal, the 24-year-old was on hand to strike the woodwork in the second half and was a constant menace down the left flank all game long.
If Hanson can continue this bright form, Villa may well consider making her transfer permanent this month or in the summer.
In other Aston Villa news, this one first-team player could quickly become a fan-favourite after his brilliant performance against Leeds in the Premier League.