Aston Villa Women fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Everton on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Claire Emslie, Izzy Christiansen and Grace Clinton put the game beyond Villa's reach, despite a stunning strike from Ramona Petzelberger early in the second half.
Villa welcomed fans to the Banks's Stadium for the very first time on Saturday, and played in front of the claret & blue faithful for the first time in 545 days.
Carla Ward gave the returning supporters plenty to be excited about, as all seven summer signings were named in the starting XI.
🟣 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🟣
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) August 21, 2021
All 7️⃣ summer signings are in from the start for Carla Ward's side... 📜 pic.twitter.com/muwVhMqt7N
Maz Pacheco, notably, was making her first appearance having signed from West Ham United on Monday.
And it was Villa who got off to the fastest start.
Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, playing against her former employers, went close from long range before Pacheco went agonisingly close moments later.
Everton weren't to be overlooked, however.
Toni Duggan missed a one-on-one with Hannah Hampton just after the 20-minute mark, but the visitors wouldn't be denied for much longer.
Claire Emslie headed home to hand the Toffees the lead, one they wouldn't relinquish before half-time.
Villa came out of the break with as much belief as they had started the first half with, and they were on level terms soon after.
Petzelberger, back to full fitness after an injury-riddled first season in England, received a lay-off from Alisha Lehmann on the edge of the area and placed a beautiful side-footed shot into the top corner of the Everton net.
Carla Ward's side were jubilant, but they were soon hit by a quickfire double which put the game to bed.
Christiansen converted a penalty, before Clinton slid home a third in unfortunate circumstances.
The game would peter out as both managers prioritised preservation as we gear up towards the start of the WSL campaign in two weeks' time.
Villa: Hampton, Mayling, Sargeant, Haigh (N'Dow 68'), Pacheco, Asante (McLoughlin 55'), Allen (C) (Brown 83'), Petzelberger, Lehmann, Boye-Hlorkah (Trialist 72'), Gregory (Hayles 55')
Unused subs: Rogers, O. Rabjohn, Lemon, Hoare, Fallon
