Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa Women won a first league game since September on Sunday, beating Liverpool 1-0 at Prenton Park.

Rachel Daly’s second-half penalty proved to be the difference as Villa also recorded a first clean sheet since their 2-0 victory over Leicester City.

The result lifts Villa up to sixth in the Barclays WSL table.

Carla Ward continued with the same outfield unit that has started every league game so far this season.

The manager could only name 16 players in the squad, with eight players currently sidelined.

Villa created the first opportunity of the game, with Dan Turner heading over the bar from a Kenza Dali corner inside the opening 10 minutes.

Kirsty Hanson was next to have a go at goal, but Rachael Laws held the speculative attempt comfortably.

Villa would go onto control possession for much of the first half without seriously threatening their opponents.

Alisha Lehmann was found over the top a couple of times but saw her crosses blocked by the Liverpool defence.

With half-time looming, Lehmann had the best chance to open the scoring.

Our no.7 dispossessed the hosts on the halfway line to run through on goal, but her finish in front of the onrushing Laws struck the post to her dismay.

Villa wouldn’t rue Lehmann’s miscue for long.

Hanson was upended by Laws inside the area following a neat through ball from Kenza Dali, leaving the referee with an easy decision to make.

Rachel Daly finished the spot-kick with aplomb to give Villa something to hang onto for the remainder of the game.

Liverpool tested Villa’s resolve in the closing stages with some aerial deliveries but Ward’s side were equal to everything.

The final whistle was blown after six additional minutes, and Villa go into the November international break having returned to winning ways.