Match reportLiverpool suffer late defeat against Aston Villa in WSL

A Marie Höbinger penalty on 57 minutes put Amber Whiteley’s team in front after Ceri Holland was brought down inside the box.

But it was a short-lived lead for the Reds as Villa substitute Kirsty Hanson netted excellently from a tight angle within three minutes of being introduced.

And the opposition completed a turnaround when Ebony Salmon’s low cross was inadvertently sent into her own goal by Liverpool defender Jenna Clark.

The teams had emerged to perfect conditions for kick-off, with spring sunshine draping St Helens Stadium.

But the early phases of play were not as bright as the weather, not helped by an extended stoppage when Holland required attention after a heavy challenge.

Villa warmed to the task around the midway point of the first half, with Rachael Laws called on for a regulation save at her near post as Rachel Daly swiped a low effort at goal.

Salmon got a chip across goal all wrong after being set through to the right by Daly, before a half-chance at the other end for Liverpool.

It came as Maz Pacheco’s backpass ran a little short and invited Leanne Kiernan to rush it down. Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo reacted quickly, though, and was able to clear.

They were much closer on the half-hour. A deep free-kick from the right touchline was nodded at goal by Sophie Roman Haug and D’Angelo had to stretch to tip away the net-bound ball. Jasmine Matthews made contact with the rebound yards out but could only hook it over the target.

The Reds were beginning to get on the front foot and another Höbinger set-piece – this one a corner from the left – caused a scramble that Villa somehow came through unscathed.

Still, the visitors could have edged ahead in the 45th minute, Grace Fisk producing a big intervention to stop Daly from firing Salmon’s cut-back at goal from close range.

Liverpool enjoyed early ascendancy in the second half and they broke the deadlock moments before the hour mark arrived.

A mix-up in possession for the away side near the halfway line presented Holland with a chance to burst forward to a one-on-one and she was felled by D’Angelo having taken the ball around the goalkeeper.

Höbinger stepped up and calmly rolled the spot-kick inside the left post.

Villa responded to the concession strongly and Laws was needed to make a good block when a teasing low cross from the left by Pacheco reached Chasity Grant at the far post.

Daly then went close with a looping header, but it was brief respite for the Reds as substitute Hanson brought the visitors level.

Missy Bo Kearns clipped a fine pass in behind the home defence for Hanson, who beat the onrushing Laws to the ball and managed to arc a finish over the line despite an ever-narrowing angle left of the target.

Villa were buoyant after restoring parity and having looked the likelier team to strike again, they did grab all three points with a slice of fortune in minute 87.

Salmon created it with a penetrating dribble to the byline from the right flank and Clark’s attempt to cut out her low delivery sent the ball over her own goalline.

Team

Liverpool: Laws, Fisk, Bonner, Matthews (Clark, 83), Hinds, Nagano, Holland, Höbinger, Kiernan (Enderby, 65), Roman H., Kapocs.

Unused subs: Micah, Evans, Bartel, Daniels, Kerr, Bernabe, Shaw.

Next up

The season now pauses for the April international window.

Liverpool have an Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-final to look forward to, however, travelling to Chelsea on Saturday April 12 for a 12.15pm BST kick-off. See ticket details here.