Aston Villa Women were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United at Carrington Training Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Martha Thomas and Kirsty Hanson both netted inside the opening 20 minutes to give Carla Ward's side a mountain to climb during the remainder of the game.
Villa had their backs against the wall even before the game began, perhaps.
Both Alisha Lehmann and Lisa Weiß were forced to withdraw from the starting XI - with the latter unable to feature at all.
With the action underway, United would score with their first attempt. Hanson cut the ball back for Thomas to convert inside the area and score her first goal since signing from West Ham United.
Hanson then curled one into the top corner soon after to put the hosts into the ascendency.
Villa held firm and got to half-time with the score at 2-0, before putting in a much improved performance during the second period.
Lehmann, who was able to come off the bench, fired wide from close range in what was a great chance to halve the deficit on 55 minutes.
Villa continued to battle right through to the end and can be pleased with their second-half performance against a top-four side from a season ago.
Next up for Carla Ward's side is a visit from Willie Kirk and his Everton outfit to the Banks's Stadium on Saturday, August 21 (ko 12.30pm). It will be the first time we will welcome fans to our Walsall home. Don't miss out - get your ticket now!
Aston Villa: Rogers, Mayling, Asante, Sargeant, Haigh (McLoughlin 59'), Hutton, Arthur, Petzelberger, Allen (C), Trialist (Hayles 46'), Gregory (Lehmann 23')
Unused Subs: M. Goodwin, Brown, Rabjohn, McAteer, Trialist
