FULL TIME: Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester
Two errors from Sian Rogers cost Villa as they fall to their first league defeat since 2018/19. A spirited performance from the newcomers, but City just had too much for them
CHANCE
Sam Mewis has a good effort on the edge of the box, but Nat Haigh blocks it out for a corner
Changes
The changes are confirmed as Hanssen replaces Chloe Arthur and Hutton replaces Diana Silva
Two more changes
A final roll of the dice for Villa as Nadine Hanssen and Jodie Hutton are prepared to come on
Final few minutes
Villa are continuing to push, but City look to be secure in their position
CHANCE
Sam Mewis pickpockets a Villa defender and flashes an effort across goal, but her effort just misses the far post
Scott introduced
Jill Scott replaces Caroline Weir for City
ANOTHER DISALLOWED GOAL
Ellen White buries City's third, but is flagged offside. Just like Villa's in the first half, White looked level with her defender.
Change
Shania Hayles replaces Emma Follis for Villa. The winger has had a strong match, but is replaced by last season's hero
Good chance for Weir
Chloe Arthur gives the ball away cheaply in midfield, allowing Caroline Weir to have an effort. However, it sails over.
Changes
Emily Syme replaces Marisa Ewers and Asmita Ale replaces Elisha N'Dow
CHANCE!
Georgia Stanway is immediately played in by Ellen White, but Rogers makes another good save. Rogers is having massive second half
Changes oending
Villa are readying Asmita Ale and Emily Syme from the bench.
Janine Beckie is replaced by Ellen White.
MASSIVE CHANCE!
Georgia Stanway turns well inside the area and gets a goos shot off, but Rogers makes another good save.
CHANCE!
Emma Follis again pickpockets Bonner, but Roebuck is out fast and saves well. Let off for Bonner yet again.
Chance
Sam Mewis plays a good through ball to Janine Becky, but Rogers is equal to it. It has been a much better performance from the Villa stopper
Good chance for Mewis
Sam Mewis has a curled effort go just over the bar. Unlucky not to score
City looking strong
Manchester City are not having it all their own way, but their attacking strength is too much for Villa. Chloe Kelly and Georgia Stanway are giving the full-backs the runaround here and the defence looks vulnerable.
Half chance
Chloe Arthur plays a well weighted ball through to Stine Larsen, but Ellie Roebuck is just quicker to the ball and clears well.
Chance for City
Caroline Weir dances around the Villa defenders into the box, but her shot is well held by Rogers. The Villa 'keeper seems to be building confidence.
Agonising for Villa
Emma Follis does brilliantly to snatch the ball off Bonner and plays Diana Silva in. The debutant is in a tight angle and fires just wide.
BACK UNDERWAY
Villa get the game back underway. They attack straight from the off and Stine Larsen takes a slight knock
Villa back out
Gemma Davies' players are back out for the second half. Now we wait for City.
Definitely hard done by
On closer inspection, both Villa attackers for Larsen's disallowed goals were well onside. Stine Larsen will definitely feel hard done by.
Hard done by?
Villa's disallowed goal also seems to be a very marginal decision. It was an incredibly tight decision and Gemma Davies may feel slightly hard done by
Foul in the buildup?
There are question marks over the first City goal. When challenging for the ball, Georgia Stanway left her mark on Sian Rogers and she went down clutching her foot.
HALF TIME: Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester City
It was a nightmare start for Villa, but there were plenty of positives as the game wore on. Encouraging for Gemma Davies.
Gareth Taylor will be very happy with his side in his first game in charge. Stanway has linked up brilliantly with Chloe Kelly and they have the look of potential champions already
Massive chance for Villa
A corner is whipped in and met with a thumping header from Stine Larsen. Sadly for the Dane, Demi Stokes is there to clear on the line.
Another chance for Stanway
Sian Rogers darts out to close Stanway down, but the Scot dances past the 'keeper. Her shot goes high and wide from a tight angle.
Chance for a debutant
Sam Mewis comes close to a goal on his debut as Villa are slow to get back. However, it sails just wide. A bit of a let-off.
N'Dow a rock for Villa
Chloe Kelly looks through on goal, but N'Dow is again there to cut the attack out. She has looked fantastic for Villa so far.
Villa growing in confidence
Villa are having a spell on the ball and are looking dangerous. Emma Follis and Chloe Arthur are cutting balls out in midfield and pressing Roebuck into making mistakes. Encouraging for the newbies.
Offside for Larsen
Villa have the ball in the net through Stine Larsen, but the flag is up. Wake-up call for City.
SITTER!
Georgia Stanway finds herself with an open goal and only ten yards out. However, her shot is shanked at it goes over. Thankfully the offside flag spares her blushes
Calm for Rogers
Sian Rogers is looking more confident between the sticks for Villa. After a clearance is shanked to a City player, she recovers well to claim the low cross. She is looking more vocal to her defenders as well. Hopefully her rotten luck starts to change.
GOAL: Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester City
Another bungled clearance from Sian Rogers hits Georgia Stanway and sneaks in. You really have to feel for her.
Deer in headlights
Georgia Stanway is again bearing down on the Villa area and Rogers hesitates before heading back to her line. Her indecision has been costing Villa so far.
Rogers in trouble again
A poor pass from Rogers to Caroline Seims is intercepted and reaches Georgia Stanway. Her shot sails thankfully over the bar.
GOAL: Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester City
Caroline Siems lets the ball go past her and Georgia Stanway pounces. The clearance by Rogers is bungled and Stanway has an open goal. Nightmare for Villa.
Runaround
Ella Franklin is looking particularly vulnerable for Villa, with Chloe Kelly getting in behind her on three occasions in the first five minutes.
Another chance for City
Another chance has fallen to Georgia Stanway in the Villa box but another heroic block is made. It's been a rough start to life in the top flight for Villa.
Early chance
It was almost a dream start for Manchester City as Georgia Stanway has a shot blocked by Elisha N'Dow. The rebounded header goes just wide.
KICKOFF!
The first whistle blows and the curtain raises on the 2020/21 WSL season at Villa Park!
Villa emerge
The newcomers looking to make a big splash in their debut WSL season take to the pitch for their first ever top-flight game.
The players take to the pitch
The visitors are out first as the new WSL season edges ever closer...
Ten minute warning
The 2020/21 season gets underway on the Villa Park turf in ten minutes with the newcomers taking on the prospective champions.
Watching eyes
England manager Phil Neville has been spotted at Villa Park today. Who could he be scouting?
Faith in the old guard
Aston Villa boss Gemma Davies has shown remarkable levels of trust in those that got Villa promoted last season. Six of the starting XI were Villa players in the second tier, as well as seven of the nine subs.
Manchester City team news
There is no starting spot for Lionesses star Ellen White while new marquee signing Rose Lavelle is unavailable.
The line-up to kick-off our 2020/21 #BarclaysFAWSL campaign! 🙌
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) September 5, 2020
CITY XI | Roebuck, Morgan, Houghton (C), Bonner, Stokes, Walsh, Mewis, Weir, Beckie, Kelly, Stanway
SUBS | Bardsley, Taieb, Coombs, Scott, Park, White
⚽️ @haysworldwide
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/HkTzfLv0HJ pic.twitter.com/nt2OENOVJ0
Aston Villa team news
A raft of new signings lineup for Aston Villa's WSL debut. However, Sian Rogers retains her number one spot over new arrival Lisa Weiss.
Here's how we line-up for our @barclaysFAWSL season opener...#AVFC pic.twitter.com/ZdFIpKl8Fl
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) September 5, 2020
How to watch
The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2. Coverage starts at 2PM and kickoff is 2:30.
If you prefer to stream the match, it will be broadcast live and for free on Aston Villa's streaming service Villa TV as well as through the FA Player.
If you prefer to follow the action online, your best bet is here on VAVEL!
Welcome!
Welcome to VAVEL.com's live coverage of the 2020 Women's Super League match: Aston Villa vs Manchester City!
My name is Andrew Maddox and I'll be your host for today. We will provide you with team news, pre-match analysis and score updates as it happens live on VAVEL!