Aston Villa fight back to beat Liverpool and claim first WSL win

Aston Villa came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 and secure their first Women's Super League victory of the season, with Chasity Grant and a Grace Fisk own goal overturning Natalia Ramos's spectacular long-range opener.

The result doubled Villa's points tally for the campaign to six and lifted them to 10th place, while Liverpool remain seventh. It was also Brian Sorensen's first win in charge of Villa since he became interim manager following the sacking of Natalia Arroyo at the end of last month.

Ramos's spectacular opener

Liverpool went in front when Fuka Nagano picked up the ball after Cornelia Kapocs had gone to ground under a challenge from Miri Taylor and fed the Spanish midfielder Ramos. Villa's defence backed off and Ramos took a touch as she advanced before unleashing a powerful, swerving shot from 25 yards which flew beyond Akane Okuma.

The visitors had plenty of opportunities to increase their advantage in the remainder of the first half. Mia Enderby should have done better moments later when she stole possession on the edge of the box but could only scuff her shot, epitomising Liverpool's wastefulness in front of goal.

Grant brings Villa level

Villa showed renewed purpose after the break. Rofiat Imuran spurned a good chance after breaking clear of the Liverpool defence but finished tamely, and Amalie Vangsgaard then forced Khiara Keating to save with a shot on the turn before the hosts restored parity in the 62nd minute.

Grant outpaced Nagano in pursuit of a ball over the top from goalkeeper Okuma before firing into the top-left corner from an angle, despite Fisk's attempt at a last-ditch block. It was the midfielder's first WSL goal of the season.

Fisk turns it into her own net

Villa took the lead 10 minutes later when Liverpool allowed Océane Deslandes' corner to bounce in the box and Fisk, the Liverpool captain, awkwardly nudged the ball into her own net off her thigh at the back post.

Liverpool press late

The closing stages were played out with Liverpool pushing for an equaliser. Cornelia Kapocs had a header from the centre of the box saved in the bottom left corner by Okuma, who then denied Vivien Endemann from the right side of the box. Beata Olsson twice headed narrowly wide from Endemann deliveries, and Marie-Therese Höbinger fired a right-footed effort from outside the box just off target.

Olsson was also penalised for a handball in the closing minutes, and Anna Patten required treatment before the fourth official announced four minutes of added time. Villa held on.

What the numbers say

Liverpool dominated the ball, with 67.4 per cent of possession to Villa's 32.6, and registered 23 shots to the hosts' seven. Villa had three on target to Liverpool's nine, with Okuma making eight saves to Keating's two, and the visitors had 37 touches inside the opposition box to Villa's 11.

Liverpool also completed 701 passes at 89.7 per cent accuracy, with 166 of them in the final third, against Villa's 333 at 77.8 per cent and 45. Villa defended in numbers, making 23 clearances to Liverpool's 14, and both sides won 21 tackles and five corners.

First win for Sorensen

The victory was Villa's first in the league this season after six matches, and a first for interim head coach Sorensen, who took charge after Arroyo's departure.

What the result means

Villa have now gained five points from losing positions this season, the highest tally in the division, and they move above Arsenal, West Ham United and Crystal Palace on goal difference. Liverpool, who have dropped six points from winning positions, remain in seventh ahead of Arsenal.

SportsLigue