Manchester City Women lost their first game of the new WSL season after a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
Villa went 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Alisha Lehmann and Rachel Daly, but City responded well and levelled the scores thanks to goals from Laura Coombs and Khadija Shaw.
Gareth Taylor's side took the lead just two minutes later thanks to another striker from Coombs, but the home side weren't behind for long and soon made it 3-3.
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City looked far from their best on Sunday and were punished once again as Daly grabbed her second goal of the match and ultimately the winning strike in the 76th minute. The two teams stood for a minute's silence, followed by the singing of the national anthem before kick-off as a mark of respect following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Taylor's side started the game well and created a couple of early chances, although Villa looked dangerous on the counter and had an early chance of their own. However, it was the home side who took the lead at Villa Park, with Lehmann unleashing a strike past Ellie Roebuck after some good work from Lionesses star Daly.
The goal gave Villa plenty of confidence and they started to move the ball quicker - putting City under pressure every time they had the ball in midfield. Carla Ward's side doubled their lead in the 32nd minute after Daly bagged a debut goal with a stunning strike. City thought they had cleared a corner, but Villa recovered it well and worked the ball to Daly, who finished smartly.
City were really struggling to get a foothold in the match but managed to pull a goal back just before half-time through Coombs. Villa shot-stopper Hannah Hampton got a hand on Coombs' effort but wasn't able to control the strike. The away side came racing out of the blocks in the second period and quickly made it 2-2, with Shaw heading past Hampton after a clever headed pass from Steph Houghton.
It didn't take long for Taylor's side to make it 3-2. Two minutes after drawing level, City were ahead thanks to a great finish from Coombs. Chloe Kelly delivered an inviting cross, which allowed Coombs to take a touch and fire home - although the Villa goalkeeper will feel that she should have done better.
Despite their impressive start to the second half, City conceded just three minutes after taking the lead for the first time in the match. Kenza Dali struck well from outside the box, but her effort deflected off Alex Greenwood and flew past Roebuck.
Villa's goal stunned City, and the home side once again began to control the game. In the 76th minute, the home side restored their lead and made it 4-3. Roebuck did well to save a shot, but she wasn't able to control the ball, which allowed Daly to pounce on it and grab her second of the match.
City, despite their best efforts, were unable to get back into the match and suffered their first defeat to Villa in WSL history after a thrilling encounter at Villa Park.
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