Manchester City Women vs Aston Villa Women. Women's Super League.
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Manchester City held to a 1-1 home draw by Aston Villa; Deyna Castellanos gave City 28th-minute lead; Villa responded immediately as Kirsty Hanson scored equaliser three minutes later; draw means City miss chance to move level on points with third-placed Arsenal as Villa move up to fifth
Saturday 21 January 2023 14:44, UK
Manchester City missed the chance to go level on points with third-placed Arsenal after being held 1-1 at home by Aston Villa.
Deyna Castellanos gave City a 28th-minute lead but just three minutes later Villa levelled through on-loan Manchester United forward Kirsty Hanson.
The Scotland international came close to giving the visitors an early second-half lead as her curling effort hit the post, while Kenza Dali's volley was well saved by Ellie Roebuck.
Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat made a stoppage-time save to deny Khadija Shaw a late winner.
The draw means City stay fourth and move two points behind Arsenal, who occupy the third and final Champions League place, while Villa move fifth, nine points behind the Gunners.
City, who were beaten 4-3 at Villa in their opening game of the Women's Super League season, took the lead in the 28th minute when Shaw played a fine through ball and Castellanos slipped a finish past Leat.
But three minutes later the game was level as Hanson equalised after seeing an initial shot hit Esme Morgan and then hitting the rebound first time past Roebuck, who got a touch to the shot before it looped in.
Hanson was almost on the scoresheet again early in the second half when she sent a strike against a post in the 51st minute.
Dali had a firm shot well saved by City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck while, at the other end, Shaw headed over and was denied late on by Leat as City failed to find a winner.
The result is a setback in Gareth Taylor's side's push for Champions League football as they now sit two points behind Manchester United and Arsenal, ahead of those teams playing away against Reading and Brighton respectively on Sunday.
The gap between City and leaders Chelsea, who have played the same amount of games as City and host Liverpool on Sunday, is five points.
Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor speaking to Sky Sports:
"I thought it was flat. Even before we scored we were a bit slow to everything - slow in our play, in our reactions. We score a good goal and give a cheap one away soon afterwards.
"When you leave a big hole in the middle of the goal then you'll concede or have an opportunity for the opposition to score. It affected us more than it should've done. That's football.
"On other days we lose the way that we play today. We weren't clicking, not much cohesion. To come away against a decent Villa team with a point is better than losing the game.
"You can't worry about dropping a point. We're still unbeaten, that's a positive for us. There's a lot of football still to play so we just attack the next game.
Aston Villa boss Carla Ward speaking to Sky Sports:
"We are delighted with a point but are a little bit disappointed we didn't win the game."
Asked what the secret to their recent success has been, she responded: "Togetherness. If you ask the players what's our number one attribute is it's our environment, it is half the battle.
If you look after each other as people and players it gives you every chance. There are moments in the game where you have to have your team-mate's back. You need that at times and we great pride in that."
Manchester City face Bristol City away in the quarter-final of the League Cup on Wednesday followed by an FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Sheffield United next Sunday.
Aston Villa go to Arsenal in the League Cup on Thursday and then host Fylde in the FA Cup fourth round next Sunday.
