Sørensen rues missed chances vs Liverpool

Interim head coach Brian Sørensen was left ruing missed opportunities after Aston Villa suffered a first Players Cup defeat of the campaign at Liverpool. 

Midfielder Missy Bo Kearns struck inside five minutes to give the Villans the lead against her former club. However the hosts levelled on the half hour to send the teams in level at the break, before capitalising on several missed Villa chances and a penalty appeal to run out 4-1 winners.

Sørensen was pleased with the effort shown by his players, but lamented the squandered opportunity to further cement claims for a knockout place.

Speaking to VillaTV after the match, he said: "It was a bit up and down. We started really well, got in front, but then Liverpool took over, and we struggled a bit with our defensive shape against them.

"So, we changed that in half-time, and then I think we looked good again. We created three and four very big chances where we probably could have put the game to bed.

"It was a bit weird at the end where suddenly decisions were maybe not going our way, like a penalty I think we should have had, and then a big free kick that they scored from.

"So the game tipped around. Then we had to chase and we opened ourselves up and they scored.

"The players did everything they could, it was just one of those days where we didn't take our opportunities when we had them."

Sørensen continued: "Overall, happy with a lot of things, it was just the final product we were lacking.

"If we had scored on one of those two, three, four opportunities, then they have to chase (instead) and they open themselves up. That's how sometimes games can shift. Unfortunately it wasn't on our side today.

"But we also got a lot of starters rested for Sunday, so all in all, it wasn't the worst night. It was just the result that wasn't going our way."

There is little time for the team to dwell on suffering back-to-back losses for the first time this season, with a huge Second City derby against rivals Birmingham City in the Women's Super League at Villa Park on Sunday. 

And Sørensen called for the fans to turn up in big numbers to cheer the side on to victory.

He added, "It's my first derby here at Villa, so I'm excited. I think the girls are super excited.

"I hope they (the fans) come in a lot of numbers and support us, it's going to be an exciting game."

Did you know? The year 2026 marks 30 years since Aston Villa Women took the club’s name and on Sunday we’re marking the anniversary with a special pre-match event in the Sports Illustrated Warehouse at Villa Park. There will also be a host of other activities further celebrating the teams, moments and people who have helped make the club what it is today. 

Stay tuned for further details…