Aston Villa 0-2 Man City in the Women's Super League

Summary

Stanway taps in both Man City goals after defensive mistakes
Villa have goal incorrectly disallowed for offside
Opening game of 2020-21 Women's Super League season
Man City finished second last season on points-per-game after Covid-19 ended campaign early
Villa playing first top-flight game after promotion from Championship

Live Reporting

Tom Garry

Listen to the gamepublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 5 September 2020
Aston Villa v Man City (14:30 BST)
A reminder that you can listen to this game on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Click the audio icon at the top of the page to listen.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
Here we go...published at 14:29 British Summer Time 5 September 2020
Aston Villa v Man City (14:30 BST)
Image source, The FA
Here come the Man City players, amid eerie silence. As with the men's leagues, the teams are walking out on the pitch one-by-one for safety reasons, rather than standing side-by-side in the tunnel.
City are in their new away kit with black shirts, black shorts and dark blue socks.
Next up come the Villa team, accompanied by loud music.
BBC Sport's team-by-team WSL guidepublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 5 September 2020
Aston Villa v Man City (14:30 BST)
Image source, Rex Features
Want to know more about this season's 12 WSL teams?
Then you can check out our guide to each club in the top tier - including star players to watch - by clicking here.
'Be prepared'published at 14:24 British Summer Time 5 September 2020
Aston Villa v Man City (14:30 BST)
Safe to say, I've never had my temperature checked before arriving at a WSL match before, but these are not normal times.
Villa, true to their club motto, were well prepared in terms of the safe check-in process, which was carried out in their ticket office. You get a red wristband once you're through, to confirm your forehead wasn't quite as hot as the upper limit of 37.8 degrees centigrade. Phew.
As reporters, we are all sat several seats apart in the stands. No sharing team sheets this weekend...
Man City team newspublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 5 September 2020
Aston Villa v Man City (14:30 BST)
Man City give a first WSL appearance to World Cup-winning midfielder Sam Mewis, who joined the club this summer. Her fellow United States international, Rose Lavelle, is still quarantining after arriving from the US.
England striker Ellen White is on the City bench.
Man City XI: Roebuck, Stokes, Bonner, Houghton, Kelly, Stanway, Beckie, Morgan, Weir, Mewis, Walsh.
Subs: Bardsley, Coombs, Scott, Park, White, Benameur
Villa team newspublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 5 September 2020
Aston Villa v Man City (14:30 BST)
Image source, The FA
In their first top-flight WSL fixture, Villa give debuts to five summer signings: Chloe Arthur, Stine Larsen, Ramona Petzelberger, Caro Siems and Diana Silva. Former Chelsea defender Anita Asante is on the bench, along with German keeper Lisa Weiss - they make up Villa's transfers since promotion last term.
Villa XI: Rogers, Franklin-Fraiture, N'Dow, Follis, Arthur, Larsen, Petzelberger, Siems, Haigh, Silva, Ewers
Subs: Weiss, Ale, West, Hutton, Syme, Haywood, Hayles, Hanssen.
get involved
Get Involved via #bbcfootballpublished at 14:15 British Summer Time 5 September 2020
Who has done the best business this summer?
You can have your say on today's game via #bbcfootball on social media.
I'd also love to hear from you with your thoughts on this summer's transfers in the WSL.
Who has made the best signings? And which incoming player do you expect to have the biggest impact on the league? Over to you...
The Women's Super League returnspublished at 14:12 British Summer Time 5 September 2020
Aston Villa v Man City (14:30 BST)
Image source, The FA
Good afternoon from the socially-distanced press box at Villa Park, where after 195 days of waiting, the Women's Super League finally returns to action this afternoon.
Newly-promoted Aston Villa are hosting title hopefuls Manchester City on this, the opening day of the 2020-21 season.
Live text commentary is coming up on this very page and you can also listen live to commentary with BBC Radio 5 live, with Vicki Sparks and former England defender Laura Bassett ready to describe the game to you for radio listeners.