Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City: Remi Allen gives Villa victory
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Remi Allen's goal against her former side saw Aston Villa beat Leicester City 2-1
Remi Allen marked her Aston Villa debut by scoring the winner against her former club Leicester City in an absorbing Women's Super League game.
Natasha Flint had put newly promoted Leicester City in front after a mistake by goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Villa turned it around with two goals in the space of 60 seconds.
Sarah Mayling equalised with a spectacular free-kick before skipper Allen hit the winner from close range to earn Carla Ward's side three points.
Leicester went in front on 39 minutes, and were good value for their lead.
Hampton had already made a spectacular save to keep out Flint, but she was left holding her head in her hands after allowing the Leicester player's attempt to spin off her gloves and into the net.
Villa were much more potent after the interval, and levelled through Mayling's wonderful set-piece.
The home fans were still celebrating when Allen made it 2-1, but they had a scare when substitute Lachante Paul was denied an equaliser by Hampton in stoppage time.
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While Villa now prepare for a game at West Ham on 11 September, Leicester will look to learn lessons from their first game in England's top tier.
On this evidence, the Foxes have much to offer this season.
Aston Villa's Remi Allen: "We're not happy with the performance. But to go 1-0 down and then score two quick goals shows the character and mentality of this group.
"We got a bit of a hammering at half-time which I think we deserved. We got our goals and rode our luck a little bit but you need that.
"I played that scenario in my head a few times never thinking it would become a reality [scoring the winner against former club]. It's an amazing feeling."
Leicester boss Jonathan Morgan: "The turning point was the free-kick [equaliser]. In my opinion it wasn't a free-kick but it's not about the free-kick being given, it's about how our players handled that.
"It was 60 seconds of madness which cost us.
"Natasha Flint can play for England in my opinion. She's important to us and this will give her more confidence."