Man United Women win 4-1 at Aston Villa to close gap on Arsenal in WSL Champions League race

Manchester United Women claimed a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in the Barclays Women’s Super League at Villa Park on Sunday.

Marc Skinner’s side headed into the fixture off the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win over Arsenal in the Women’s League Cup semi-final and started on the front foot.

An early chance saw Lea Schuller chase a ball over the top, but goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck quickly came off the line to clear the danger.

The Red Devils continued to assert their dominance, and Melvine Malard nearly opened the scoring, but was denied by Roebuck.

However, the Villa goalkeeper could not prevent Julia Zigiotti Olme from giving United the lead straight from a corner-kick in the 35th minute.

United’s lead lasted only for two minutes, as Villa went to the other end to level the scores as Kirsty Hanson’s shot beat Phallon Tullis-Joyce at the near post.

Tullis-Joyce then made a superb save to parry out Maya Hijikata’s shot, ensuring both sides headed into the break level.

United restored their lead with a superb worked move. Malard did well to head down Hinata Miyazawa’s pass, and the ball fell nicely to Elisabeth Terland, whose first-time finish found the corner of the net.

Tullis-Joyce was on alert to keep out Ebony Salmon before United increased their advantage as Jess Park slalomed her way through the Villa defence to bury a low shot home.

Park would be involved again, slipping in WSL debutant Hanna Lundkvist, whose low-angled effort was deflected past Roebuck, sealing the victory for United.

United climb to fourth on the standings after Tottenham Hotspur slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, sitting just one point behind third-placed Arsenal.

Article written by Henry Thornton .