That opening goal will have shocked a few inside of the Joie Stadium and there's almost an instant response from City with Lauren Hemp through on goal at the end of a goal kick.

Sabrina D'Angelo did well rushing out of her goal and closing down Hemp to save.

Siobhan Chamberlain
Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Two

It's a brilliant finish. It's ruthless. It's clinical.

Robert de Pauw wanted more clinical play from his team and that's exactly what he has got.

Image source, Getty Images

Better from City as Khadija Shaw forces a save out of Sabrina D'Angelo.

City do well to work the ball out towards the left side and Jill Roord, whose deflected cross looped up and found Shaw in the penalty area, whose header was strong but straight at D'Angelo.

A big concern for Villa will have been the space Shaw found herself in. If she had known that all of Villa's defenders around here were not marking her, she could have controlled it and got a cleaner shot off.

Siobhan Chamberlain
Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Two

At the moment Aston Villa are very rigid in their shape. They know their roles. They know their responsibilities. They know who needs to step out, who needs to cover.

Manchester City just need to find those gaps a little bit quicker if they're going to be able to exploit them.

So far, Villa are doing really well.

Excellent defending from Kerstin Casparij prevents a first shot for Aston Villa.

A great ball from the right side from Noëlle Maritz heads towards the run of Gabi Nunes on the edge of the penalty area, but Casparij's intervention ends the chance as Alex Greenwood heads safely back to Ayaka Yamashita.

A sign of quality from Villa, but defensively City matched them well.

A first corner for Manchester City, won on the left side after a clever dummy from Lauren Hemp.

City go short and Jess Park drives into the penalty area from the left, but Villa clear well.

Siobhan Chamberlain
Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Two

I think at the moment Villa know they can afford to hold a high line because any balls through over the top are just going to roll straight through to the goalkeeper.

They're staying compact and making it really hard for City to break them down.

At the moment their game plan is working brilliantly.

Image source, Reuters

A first shot of the game from Khadija Shaw, picking up the ball in Villa's half after great pressing from Yui Hasegawa.

Shaw is direct, drives at goal and let a shot fly from 25 yards out, but not one that comesclose to testing Villa's Sabrina D'Angelo.

Image source, Reuters

Little to report early on as both sides are still finding their way into this tie.

I mentioned a minute ago about Storm Ashley and its potential effect on this game.

A moment ago, City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita's routine clearance held up quite a bit in the wind, something to watch out for.

Siobhan Chamberlain
Ex-England and Man Utd goalkeeper on BBC Two

Ayaka Yamashita has been brilliant for them so far this season. She gives them confidence at the back, she plays well with her feet, she makes saves, she comes out.

She's exactly what Manchester City need as a goalkeeper with the way they play.

Manchester City

As per Opta, Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw has scored 15 WSL goals in 13 games in 2024, seven more than any other player.

Indeed, it is more than two ever-present clubs have managed to score this calendar year – Leicester have scored 12 goals and West Ham only 14.

Conditions may well play a big factor today.

Storm Ashley is certainly showing its presence so far in Manchester, with the rain bucketing down, as well as plenty of wind to add to it.

Early on, Khadija Shaw has just showed her threat chasing down a through ball. It was a bit overhit for her, but an early warning for Villa.

Rachel Daly gets this match under way at the Joie Stadium!

Steph Houghton
Former Manchester City defender on BBC Two

I was really excited about Aston Villa this season. A new manager coming in, a lot of new signings.

That has probably contributed to a bit of a slow start, trying to find a new way of playing, new players settling in.

I really do feel as though Villa have got to put in a performance today to get anything off Manchester City.

The teams are out at the Joie Stadium and are exchanging some pre-match fist-bumps ahead of this match.

Both teams could do with a win for differing reasons.

City would go three points clear at the top of the table, while Villa are chasing their first win of the season.

Kick-off is just a couple of minutes away.

Manchester City

As per Opta, Lauren Hemp has created 16 chances in the WSL this season for Manchester City, six more than any other player for any club.

Six of her chances have been created for teammate Khadija Shaw, the most from one player to another this season.

Steph Houghton
Former Manchester City defender on BBC Two

I really do [think this could be Manchester City's year] and that's not me trying to be biased. I look at the squad, the way that they've been playing and I don't really feel as though they've hit those heights of performances but they're winning games and are able to get results.

I just think players are coming into form now. I really feel this could be their best chance yet.

Image source, Getty Images

Of the 12 sides in the Women's Super League, four teams are still yet to win a league match this season.

Two of which are playing each other, with Leicester City hosting Everton at the King Power Stadium, kicking off at 15:00 BST.

Aston Villa meanwhile head to Manchester City (12:15 kick-off BST) and West Ham host Arsenal in a London derby (15:00 BST).

Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal face a trip to West Ham in one of two London derbies on Sunday, under new leadership following the departure of Jonas Eidevall earlier this week.

Renee Slegers is currently in interim charge and started her tenure off with a 4-1 win over Valerenga in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Today's Women's Super League clash against West Ham sees Arsenal play a WSL match without Eidevall in charge since the final day of the 2020-21 season, a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

The Gunners face a West Ham side who are yet to win in any of their four WSL matches so far this season, but have drawn against Liverpool and Everton.