Aston Villa Women vs Manchester City Women. Women's Super League.
Villa ParkAttendance3,041.
Aston Villa Women 2
- C Grant (6th minute)
- L Aleixandri (46th minute own goal)
Manchester City Women 4
- V Miedema (28th minute, 35th minute)
- M Fowler (54th minute)
- J Park (62nd minute)
Aston Villa 2-4 Man City: Vivianne Miedema's double gets visitors back to winning ways in Women's Super League
Match report as Manchester City win 4-2 at Aston Villa; Vivianne Miedema nets a first-half double for the visitors, with Mary Fowler and Jess Park also scoring after half-time; Chasity Grant had opened the scoring early on for Villa, with Laia Aleixandri's own goal also giving them hope
Saturday 25 January 2025 17:57, UK
Vivianne Miedema's first-half double saw Manchester City come from behind to win 4-2 at Aston Villa to move to within six points of Chelsea at the top of the Women's Super League.
The Netherlands international, who has struggled with injury this season, was pivotal in Gareth Taylor's side responding to Chasity Grant's thumping sixth-minute opener with two goals in quick succession of contrasting quality.
Miedema's first was a simple, composed finish after Danielle Turner's stray pass went straight to the City forward, while her second just seven minutes later was a thing of beauty as she curled a shot into the top righthand corner from 20 yards out.
Villa - playing for the final time under interim boss Shaun Goater, Taylor's former assistant and City team-mate, before new boss Natalia Arroyo takes charge - subsequently got back on level terms through Laia Aleixandri's own goal in the opening minute of the second half.
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Mary Fowler then scored a superb goal in the 54th minute and Jess Park added a fourth just past the hour for City, who move back into the Champions League places, up from fourth to second, six points behind leaders Chelsea ahead of them hosting third-placed Arsenal on Sunday.
What the managers said...
Aston Villa interim boss Shaun Goater:
"We felt that our pace and being able to, at the right time, execute balls down the side, that we can get some real joy from that. Our goal sort of comes from that, where it's a ball down the side to Chasity [Grant], who actually does very well. And from there, her strength and power allows us to get into the box and get that fine shot off and score.
"There were times throughout the game that we didn't actually utilise that situation when we could have. So therefore going back allowed them to be on the front foot and press, but the opportunities would go. And I always felt it wasn't going to be a game where we'd create loads of chances, but the three or four situations we needed to be right in those situations.
"We did get passive, but that's because City used the 'keeper. And what City wanted you to do is jump to the 'keeper. And the minute you do that, you get picked off. And a couple of times when we did go, City are very good at the rotation and using the 'keeper.
"And once you decide to go, a player arrives in that space you just left and then you're running on the back foot, on the edge of your box. And this is where they hurt you. So, that's a real good part of what City do and you have to respect it, because when they get it right, it can be very effective."
Man City boss Gareth Taylor:
"It's not a headache [having players back from injury] because we just haven't had that headache for a long time over the last few months. It's just been a case of what we do have.
"You've seen Lily Murphy come into the League Cup quarter-finals and score and assist, which is a great moment for her. She's been pushed into a place because of the necessity. These players coming back is great. We have good options up there.
"Viv's [Miedema] very adaptable in playing in a few positions. But you have to say she's been impressive in two appearances at No 9 last Sunday [in the loss at Man Utd] and obviously this Saturday. It's not a headache."
Miedema: I feel strong
Vivianne Miedema on Sky Sports:
"I feel really good at the moment and I knew it [the second goal] was going in and was just happy we went 2-1 up, but we made it hard for ourselves.
"I feel like I have done the right things this time around [in rehab] and I feel strong and good at the minute and hopefully we can build from this."
