How simple Brian Sorensen change is making all the difference for Aston Villa Women

Brian Sorensen continues to operate as interim boss for Aston Villa Women.

The Villans welcomed Crystal Palace to B6 in the WSL on Sunday.

It was the first league encounter since the departure of Natalia Arroyo after a poor start to the campaign.

The Dane came in to take temporary charge and started with a win over Newcastle United in the league cup.

There was a desperate need to get back to winning ways in the league.

Villa could only manage a draw against Palace, but a Sorensen change certainly had a positive effect.

Brian Sorensen is changing the tide at Aston Villa Women

Questions continue to swirl around Villa Park about the vacant head coach role.

Many have called for Sorensen to keep hold of the role on a permanent basis after previously holding a technical advisor role.

That clamour has only taken a step up after a win and a draw in his opening two outings.

The 46-year-old knows this squad and is prepared to make changes to better their chances.

He proved his acumen by doing exactly that against Crystal Palace as he utilised a three-back formation.

Oceane Deslandes, Mathilde Harviken and Anna Patten featured at the back, with Noelle Maritz and Lynn Wilms flanking them.

That worked to the advantage of the hosts as it made them much more solid at the back, while it was Maritz who scored the opening goal of the day.

A simple change from Sorensen has helped get a point on the board in the WSL, but how did it work against Palace?

The numbers behind Aston Villa change vs Crystal Palace

A move to three centre-backs can be a risk as it leaves you lighter in attacking areas.

The issue with the Villans, all season, has been conceding goals.

With 10 flying past them in just four league outings, before this weekend, it sums up their struggles.

A change in approach allowed all three central defenders to show their qualities.

They combined to achieve 19 defensive actions and 11 duel wins.

It didn't end there as Harviken completed the most passes on the pitch with 84, while Deslandes had the joint most dribbles completed.

That is all made better with Maritz scoring the only goal of the afternoon for the claret and blue side.

She was able to get further forward and cause problems in an attacking area and could even get better in that respect.

This is all down to a simple change from Sorensen.

Lucia Kendall, Chasity Grant and Amalie Vangsgaard didn't have the desired impact as a front three, but that will improve as time goes on.

Maybe it's time for the Dane to get the job on a full-time basis.