Aston Villa 1-2 West Ham United

Aston Villa Women’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end with a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on Saturday.

Early goals from Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Honoka Hayashi put West Ham into the ascendency, before Kenza Dali restored hope for Villa late on.

The Hammers held on to hand Villa a first defeat in four.

Carla Ward made three changes from the side that started our Conti Cup success against Manchester United a couple of weeks ago.

Anna Patten returned from an ankle injury to partner Dan Turner in the centre of defence, while Laura Blindkilde Brown started having impressed off the bench against the Red Devils.

Kirsty Hanson also came in for Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah having been ineligible to face her parent club.

The squad was rounded out by several young faces as Ward had confirmed on Friday that a sickness bug hampered several of its senior members.

Villa barely had a touch of the ball when West Ham took an early lead.

Kirsty Smith’s corner kick was diverted in by Dagny Brynjarsdottir at the front post to leave Villa stunned.

The hosts looked for an immediate response from a familiar source, when Kenza Dali’s deep free-kick was headed over the bar by Rachel Daly.

Villa had plenty of the ball but couldn’t stop West Ham from doubling their advantage.

Honoka Hayashi took control of the ball inside the area before dispatching past Anna Leat with ease.

The Hammers almost put the game beyond Villa’s reach before the 30-minute mark when Viviane Asseyi found the side netting having latched onto Sarah Mayling’s under-hit back pass.

Anna Patten clipped the outside of the post with a headed effort on the stroke of half-time as Villa had to go into the break two goals behind.

Villa went in search of a route back into the game and looked to have been awarded a lifeline when the referee pointed to the penalty spot with a little under 20 minutes to go.

Alisha Lehmann, having netted from the spot last season against the Hammers, saw her effort saved by Mackenzie Arnold to keep the away side’s lead at two.

Moments later, however, Villa did have one goal back.

Kenza Dali got the ball under control inside the penalty area before finding the roof of the net to set up a frantic finale.

The game became more frantic when Hawa Cissoko saw red in stoppage time after a physical altercation with Sarah Mayling.

Despite seven added minutes and a barrage of Villa attacks, the visitors prevailed to take home the three points.