Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool

Aston Villa came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 and secure their first win of the Women’s Super League season at Keys Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Chasity Grant kick started the fight back in the 61st minute to cancel out Natalia Ramos’ long range opener. 

Then Océane Deslandes’ corner deflected into the back of the next to complete the turnaround.

Next up for Villa is another away trip in the Players Cup, as they travel to take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday.

Roared on by a vibrant home crowd Villa began brightly with Chasity Grant and Lily Murphy providing early tests for the Liverpool defence out wide.

Murphy was the sole change from the side that began the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace before the break, as Lucia Kendall missed out through injury.

The action flowed from end to end throughout the opening exchanges before the visitors broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. 

Natalia Ramos fired high into the top right corner from more than 30 yards after picking up a pocket of space in midfield.

Liverpool came close to doubling their lead minutes later when Mia Enderby cut inside off the right flank and took aim.

However Akane Okuma demonstrated great anticipation to read the effort and make a comfortable save. 

The away side continued to assert their dominance as the half wore on, with Villa were pinned into their own defensive third.

Okuma was called into action once more in the 39th minute, showing particularly firm hands to keep hold of a powerful Cornelia Kapocs volley from the edge of the area.

Villa continued to search for a way back into the game as the interval approached.

Grant carved out the best opportunity, dropping off the front line to collect the ball and drive up field, though she dragged her effort wide of the target.

Okuma was called into action once more before the half time whistle, denying Alejandra Bernabe at the front post to keep the arrears to a single goal at the break.

Interim head coach Brian Sørensen turned to his bench to make a double change ahead of the second half, with Rofiat Imuran and Oriane Jean-François introduced in place of Miri Taylor and Murphy.

Debutant Imuran was poised to make the perfect start to life in claret and blue after breaking beyond the Liverpool defence, though she scuffed her 53rd minute shot straight at keeper Khiara Keating. 

Jean-François made an equally immediate impact on her first appearance of the campaign after injury, taking control of possession in the middle of the park as Villa began to build pressure.

The two combined to feed striker Amalie Vangsgaard, though the Dane's shot was crowded out on the edge of the box and the deflection trickled wide.

Villa's efforts were justly rewarded just after the hour mark as Grant raced clear on the counter to equalise.

The Dutch winger showed superb strength to shrug off a Liverpool defender, before taking a touch to set herself for a strike and duly firing across goal into the top corner.

Buoyed by the exuberance of the home support at Keys Park, Villa pushed on for more and deservedly secured a second.

After Noelle Maritz' determined running yielded another corner, Oceane Deslandes whipped a cross into the middle which deflected off visiting captain Grace Fisk and into the back of the net.

The encounter remained finely poised as it entered the closing stages. 

Liverpool continued to pour forward in search of a share of the points but the Villa back line dug in resolutely to hold them at bay.

Okuma showed sharp reflexes to deny Kapocs once more from range before Beata Olsson hooked narrowly wide from inside the six yard box.

Grant went close to sealing the contest once and for all in stoppage time, but her near post flick was smothered well by Keating. 

Nevertheless Villa hung on to claim a maiden league win of the campaign and continue their 100% record in competitive matches in Hednesford.