Manchester City maintained their perfect start to their Women’s Super League title defence with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Aston Villa.
Villa had held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in their opening match but gifted City an early lead when goalkeeper Akane Okuma failed to clear the ball properly.
Her attempted punch dropped to Jade Rose, who fired home from six yards.
Mary Fowler soon doubled City’s advantage, exchanging passes with Khadija Shaw before drilling a precise effort into the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Amalie Vangsgaard gave Villa hope shortly before half-time, stretching to turn Chasity Grant’s low delivery beyond Ayaka Yamashita for her first goal since joining the club.
City regained control after the restart and continued to create opportunities.
Shaw headed against the crossbar before Lauren Hemp was denied from close range.
Shawlob eventually added City’s third, producing a delicate finish over Okuma after being sent through on goal.
The visitors completed the scoring in stoppage time when Hemp’s effort deflected off Mathilde Harviken and found the net.
The result moved Andrée Jeglertz’s side two points clear at the top of the WSL following dropped points from rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.
City’s display was built on their relentless attacking threat, with Hemp and Shaw particularly influential.
Hemp repeatedly beat defenders and finished the match with a goal and an assist, taking her tally to 101 WSL goal involvements.
Shaw also played a central role by holding up possession and creating space for Hemp and Fowler before scoring herself.
Despite being without several players and naming only six substitutes, Villa showed encouraging signs.
Grant’s movement caused City problems, while Vangsgaard marked her arrival with a well-taken goal.
