Villa 1-1 Brighton

Aston Villa Women were held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Villa took the lead during the first half when Kayleigh Green bundled into her own net, but Julia Zigiotti Olme's leveller 16 minutes from time meant the points were shared.

Carla Ward made a raft of changes from the side that started last weekend’s FA Cup victory over AFC Fylde.

Sarah Mayling, Anna Patten and Maz Pacheco, fresh from their first goals of the season, formed a back four with the returning Dan Turner.

Meanwhile, Jordan Nobbs started in midfield having been cup-tied last time out.

Villa looked sharp in the opening 15 minutes, popping the ball around with confidence.

Lucy Staniforth blazed a long-range effort over the bar from distance, while Kenza Dali’s attempt was almost fumbled by Megan Walsh.

Villa’s pressure was sustained, and Alisha Lehmann was next to go close. Her goal-bound effort was blocked inside the penalty area, though.

Despite Villa’s dominance, there weren’t many clear-cut chances created which made a somewhat fortuitous opener unsurprising.

Dali played a short corner to Mayling, whose cross in from the right ricocheted off Kayleigh Green and into the net.

Villa were close to taking a two-goal lead into half-time but Dali’s powerful strike was tipped onto the crossbar by Walsh.

And the hosts should have taken that two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half.

Dali’s cross from the right-hand side was nodded back across goal by Kirsty Hanson towards Rachel Daly.

Just as the stadium was in full expectance that the net would bulge, our top scorer hooked her effort over the bar from point-blank range.

Villa would go on to rue that missed opportunity, with Brighton equalizing 16 minutes from time.

Zigiotti Olme stroked the ball beyond Hannah Hampton from inside the area to peg the home side back and ensure the points were shared.

These two sides meet again next week at Broadfield Stadium in Crawley.