Liverpool Women 1-1 Villa Women

Aston Villa Women picked up a point in their Conti Cup opener on Wednesday, drawing 1-1 with Liverpool.

Shania Hayles bagged her first goal of 2021/22 inside three minutes, before Leanne Kiernan equalised for Matt Beard's side in the second half.

Both sides search for a winner inside 90 minutes, but it was Liverpool who won 5-4 on penalties to take the extra point.

Carla Ward made seven changes from Sunday’s defeat to Reading in the WSL.

Sian Rogers was given a start between the sticks, while Sarah Mayling was the only member of the back four to retain her place.

16-year-old Olivia McLoughlin partnered Marisa Ewers in midfield, and Gemma Davison was given her first starting berth since arriving in the summer.

But it was the lone striker, Hayles, who would make her impact known early on.

In Villa’s very first attack of the evening, the Jamaica international broke down the right before cutting inside and drilling low past Rylee Foster in the Liverpool net.

Villa’s lightning-fast start was halted on 18 minutes, however, when captain Ewers was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury.

The hosts began to threaten Villa’s goal more and more from that point onwards, and Elisha N’Dow was to thank for the score remaining 1-0 when her headed clearance prevented a breach of the backline.

Liverpool weren’t to be denied in the second half, though.

After a sustained period of pressure coming out of the break, Matt Beard’s side got back on level terms when Leanne Kiernan wriggled her way into the box before firing past a stranded Rogers.

Vills regained their composure and went in search of a winner in normal time, with Mayling going closest to troubling the hosts.

Liverpool had half-chances of their own, but the tie would be ultimately settled from the spot.

Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah was the only player from either side to miss, as Liverpool won the shootout 5-4 in the opening game in Group A,