Manchester City miss chance to go second in Women’s Super League and dent European hopes with draw against Aston Villa
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Published 21/01/2023 at 17:33 GMT
Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League as they missed the chance to go second in the table and dented their Champions League hopes. Manchester United loanee Kirsty Hanson rapidly cancelled out Deyna Castellanos’ 28th-minute opener three minutes later. The result leaves City in fourth place, two points behind Arsenal in third.
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Deyna Castellanos and Kirsty Hanson scored as Manchester City and Aston Villa shared the points in a crucial Women’s Super League clash.
Things looked bright for City - who would go second with a win - as they took the lead after 28 minutes through Castellanos, who netted her first WSL goal.
Khadija Shaw provided a perfectly timed through ball for the Venezuelan midfielder to run onto and slot neatly past Anna Leat.
Villa were left kicking themselves as Castellanos had seemed to break through completely unmarked, but quickly put the wrongs right three minutes later.
Manchester United loanee Hanson struck back rapidly in the game’s only other goal.
Rachel Daly was involved in another Villa goal, as she swung a ball into the middle towards Hanson.
The 24-year-old saw her first effort blocked by Esme Morgan, but managed to find the net with her second as the ball dropped over the line, despite Ellie Roebuck’s effort to keep the ball out with a hopeful hand.
City were unable to take the opportunity to leapfrog Arsenal and Man Utd in the table to go second and put themselves in a strong position for both Champions League football and in the title race.
Gareth Taylor’s side remain in fourth spot, three points adrift of Arsenal in third place and five points off leaders Chelsea.
The result is a dent in Man City’s title and European hopes, with Man Utd and Arsenal having a game in hand over the Cityzen’s.
Villa, in fifth, still have an outside chance of securing Champions League football.
Carla Ward’s side are nine points behind the Gunners who occupy the third and final spot for Europe’s elite competitions.
Man Utd travel to 10th place Reading on Sunday, while Arsenal take a trip south to face Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea host struggling Liverpool as they look to stretch their lead at the top of the table.
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