Ramona Petzelberger’s late header salvaged a point for Aston Villa Women against Reading on Saturday.
The Royals took the lead with 20 minutes to go when Justine Vanhaevermaet converted a penalty with ease.
Villa were undeterred and got back on level terms when Petzelberger met Laura Blindkilde Brown’s cross to head home.
The result halted a three-game losing streak for Carla Ward’s side.
Ward made three changes from the side that lost in heartbreaking fashion to Chelsea two weeks ago.
Rachel Corsie came in for her first start since arriving in January, replacing the unwell Anna Patten.
Meanwhile, Blindkilde Brown featured in midfield alongside Jill Scott and Remi Allen.
Emily Gielnik also returned to lead the line, having been dropped for the visit to the champions.
Possession
48%Shots
8Shots On Target
2Corners
2Fouls
131
0
Cards
0
0
Gielnik was involved from the off as Villa went in search of breaking their three-game scoring duck.
The Australian saw a ball flash across the face of goal, moments afterPetzelber ger had volleyed narrowly over at the back post.
The sides would go in level at the break, and Ward was forced into a change heading into the second half as Ruesha Littlejohn came on for Jill Scott.
Villa started the final period in a similar fashion to the first.
Allen marauded forward and drilled a close range effort straight at Grace Moloney in the Royals goal.
Our captain had a second attempt moments later but the Irish goalkeeper was once again alert to the danger and kept her out.
In similar circumstances to previous games, however, the opposing side would draw first blood.
After a Reading player was felled by Maz Pacheco inside the area, Vanhaevermaet dispatched the resulting spot-kick with ease to give Villa work to do.
The hosts didn’t cower and they got their just rewards 15 minutes from time.
Blindkilde Brown, with bundles of energy, rampaged down the right before floating in an excellent cross which was turned in at the back post by Petzelberger.
It was Villa’s first goal since Petzelberger notched during February’s 2-0 win over Everton.
Ward urged her side to go for the jugular, and only Moloney stopped Villa from turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win when Allen was thwarted from a couple of yards out.
The shares would be spoiled, however, as Villa now look ahead to a visit to Spurs next weekend.
A Villa Women: Hampton, Asante, Corsie, Pacheco, Mayling, Scott (Littlejohn 45'), Allen, Blindkilde-Browne, Petzelberger, Gielnik, Lehmann
Subs: McLoughlin, Sargeant, Hutton, Haywood, Boye-Hlorkah, Hayles, Rogers, Littlejohn, Arthur
Reading Women: Moloney, Harding, Cooper, Woodham, Evans, Peplow, Troelsgaard (Rowe 62'), Vanhaevermaet, Eikeland, Rose, Dowie (Harries 62')
Subs: Bethan Roberts, Primmer, Harries, Stewart, Rowe, Bryson
