Aston Villa Women suffered defeat in their first away trip of the 2020/21 season, losing 3-1 to Reading Women in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
Amalie Eikeland put the hosts in front, perhaps against the run of play, before Laura Bruton and Fara Williams put the game to bed before the half-time break had even come.
Stine Larsen struck from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time to open her account in claret & blue, but it was a mere consolation on a frustrating afternoon for Villa.
The result is a setback for Gemma Davies’ side, who competed against Manchester City last weekend.Davies announced just a single change to that starting XI ahead of the match against the Royals, with Lisa Weiss making her debut in between the posts ahead of Sian Rogers.
Unlike the team’s slow start against City, they fought hard from the first whistle on Sunday.
Diana Silva, energetic as ever, almost pounced onto a loose back-pass on the edge of the area, but was met with urgency by the onrushing Reading ‘keeper.
Not long after, a scramble in the Reading box saw the ball fell to Ramona Petzelberger, but her scuffed shot didn’t trouble the Reading ‘keeper either.
Villa would rue those missed opportunities, as Reading took the lead in the 24th minute through Amalie Eikeland.
Villa looked determined to keep the deficit at one goal, standing firm to deny the hosts, but did fall further behind when Laura Bruton doubled the lead.
Salt was rubbed into the wounds just before the break, when Fara Williams tucked away a penalty which looked like a dive to many in attendance.
Villa defended resolutely throughout the second half in shutting out Reading the rest of the way, and Larsen managed to score her first goal from the penalty spot at the other end.
Villa: Weiss, Franklin-Fraiture, N'Dow (Ale 70'), Haigh, Siems (Haywood 66'), Arthur, Ewers (C) (West 77'), Petzelberger (Syme 70'), Follis, Larsen, Silva (Hayles (78')
Subs: Rogers, Asante, Hutton, Hanssen
Goals: Eikeland (24'), Bruton (40'), Williams (45')
Who's Next?
Aston Villa Women continue their Super League campaign on October 3rd, when they face Everton at the Banks's Stadium.
