Daly scores again as Villa maintain perfect start

Rachel Daly scored again as Aston Villa beat Leicester City to record consecutive Women’s Super League victories for the first time.

Kirstie Levell pushed Danielle Turner’s second-half free-kick onto the crossbar to keep Leicester in contention.

But substitute Emily Gielnik slotted in from Kenza Dali’s pass to seal victory with four minutes remaining.

Daly’s spot-kick was her third goal in two games since her summer move from Houston Dash, after she scored twice in a thrilling opening 4-3 victory over Manchester City last weekend.

The Foxes, without a point after two games, responded well to their early set-back but struggled to test goalkeeper Hannah Hampton until Josie Green’s attempted lob late on.

And, moments later, Gielnik put the game beyond Leicester as Villa secured back-to-back WSL victories for the first time after 46 matches in the competition.

Daly delivers again as Villa continue winning start

Following her “dream” debut double against Manchester City last Sunday, Daly took just two minutes and 50 seconds to continue her promising start as an Aston Villa player.

Having played at left-back as England triumphed at Euro 2022, the versatile 30-year-old looked to have provided the crucial moment before Gielnik ensured Carla Ward’s side would back up their statement opening win.

Daly has now found the net in each of her last four WSL appearances, having also scored for West Ham in consecutive games in December 2020.

Only team-mate Hanson, who had already threatened in a lively start prior to winning the visitors their early penalty, had more touches in the opposition penalty area.

Leicester were able put Villa under pressure following Daly’s opener but former Villa youth player Shannon O’Brien curled wide of the far post as Lydia Bedford’s side struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Villa had gone closest to a second-half goal through Turner’s free-kick before a late flurry of activity, which saw Green almost catch Hampton off-guard from outside the box.

Narrowly avoiding relegation by two points last term, Leicester, beaten 2-1 by Tottenham in their first match, have taken just one point from their last nine WSL fixtures.

But for Villa, their is plenty of room for optimism after an exciting summer transfer window has been followed by the club’s best ever start to a WSL campaign.