Early stoppage with Rosella Ayane down receiving treatment.

She gets up again but looks to be in a great deal of discomfort. Worrying signs for Spurs.

Quiet opening five minutes at King Power Stadium as both sides ease their way into the new campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton earn a free-kick in the opening seconds of the game but Lucy Graham's header is a comfortable one for Mackenzie Arnold to save.

We're under way in both games!

A minute's silence for Queen Elizabeth II is observed at both games.

Fans also rise to sing the national anthem God Save the King.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham won their last game against Everton in January and will be hoping to record back-to-back wins over the Toffees for the first time.

They had their own winless run at the end of last season and will want to kick off this campaign in better form.

Here’s what the stats say ahead of West Ham’s opening game:

• West Ham have won just one of their last five matches against Everton in the WSL (D2 L2), although that win did come last time out in January – they could win consecutive matches against them in this competition for the first time.
• West Ham have lost four of their last five WSL matches (W1), failing to score in any of those four defeats. They could lose three games in the succession in the competition for the first time since October 2020.
• West Ham were the only side not to be awarded a penalty in the Women’s Super League last season – the Hammers have played 41 games in the competition since last winning a penalty.
• West Ham have lost each of their last three home matches in the WSL, losing 2-0 on each occasion. They last went on a longer run of home defeats in the competition between September 2020 and January 2021 (five games).

As kick-off fast approaches at the King Power Stadium, let's look at a few stats:

• Leicester City lost both of their WSL matches against Tottenham Hotspur last season, failing to score in either game.
• Despite completing a league double over the Foxes last season, Tottenham did lose against them in an FA Cup match in January earlier this year, defeated 3-1 in extra-time.
• Leicester City earned 13 points in their debut WSL campaign, with all 13 points coming under Lydia Bedford (P14 W4 D1 L9) after they had lost each of their opening eight matches with Jonathan Morgan in charge.
• Spurs conceded 10 headed goals in the WSL last season, with only relegated Birmingham City conceding more goals in this manner (11).

Manchester City

Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor, speaking to the BBC: "It's a tough one to take and I think that shows everything. I thought we were off it a little bit in the first half, got a lifeline just before half-time and then turned the game around in ten minutes of the second half.

"At that point we looked like we were finding our rhythm but if you come away and score three goals and still don't get anything out of the game - even a draw - it tells you everything about what we were like without the ball.

"It's a tough start, it's not the start we wanted but we've been in tough positions before but we fight back, roll our sleeves up and get back to work next week."

It was a torrid season for Everton last year, finishing 10th.

But they've had a summer of upheaval with Brian Sorensen taking over as manager and numerous new players joining the squad.

Izzy Christiansen, Katja Snoeijs and Gabby George spoke to BBC Sport ahead of the start of the season as the Toffees look to get back on track.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward speaking to the BBC: "I've lost my voice. I've ran up and down I don't know how many times. I fell to my knees I don't know how many times as well.

"The girls were sensational today. I think the thing that pleased me the most was the resilience when we went behind.

"All week what we've said to them is be brave, be front-footed, be aggressive and they've done that today."

On Rachel Daly: "[She will be] massive. Believe it or not she was unwell yesterday and this morning. We didn't know after team breakfast if she was going to play and she's gone out and produced that today.

"She's a winner, she sets standards, she gets after people but she can play for sure."

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham manager Rehanne Skinner says she wants her side to keep improving after finishing fifth last season.

“We just turned this week into what would have happened after the [postponed] United game," said Skinner.

“Every year, we’ve got to keep improving - and that’s everything off the pitch, as well as on the pitch. We’ve added quality in every transfer window.

“It just takes a little bit of time - you can’t do it in one transfer window. Every window is really, really important.”

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC Two

The spine of Aston Villa's team was up against a broken spine of Manchester City's team. A spine that has been taken apart with players leaving left, right and centre.

We mentioned prior to the game that Gareth Taylor's performance would have been about what the team would do today. It wasn't massively convincing.

Former player Paul Konchesky will take charge of his first competitive gam as West Ham boss this afternoon.

He took over the Hammers after Ollie Harder departed at the end of last season.

“Looking back on my playing days, there weren’t many days better than the opening game of the season,” he said ahead of today’s match. “The hard work from pre-season is in the bank, the adrenaline is pumping and there’s so much excitement for what’s to come.”

Image source, The FA

It has been a summer of change for the Toffees with a new manager and numerous new signings.

They will be hoping that change extends to their record in the league.

• Everton have lost on each of their last four trips to London in the Barclays WSL, failing to score a single goal in any of those defeats. Nonetheless, the last team they avoided defeat against in London were West Ham, courtesy of a goalless draw in April 2021.
• Everton are currently winless in seven Barclays WSL matches (D3 L4), their longest winless run in the competition since November 2018 (10 games).
• Everton have scored more than once in just one of their last 13 away games in the Barclays WSL, netting three times against Reading October 2021; they have scored a total of four goals across the other 12 matches in this run.

Image source, The FA

Anita Asante
Former England defender on BBC Two

This was a complete Aston Villa performance today from back to front. The defence was solid, the attacking line and were aggressive in their pressurising game.

They really capitalised on those counter-attacking moments and fully deserved the win in the end. I couldn't be happier for the team.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC Two

Rachel Daly was an absolute superstar today. Brought her form and confidence from this summer and has stamped her mark already for Aston Villa this season.

If Villa-City is a sign of things to come today, we're in for a real treat...

New signing Carrie Jones makes her Leicester debut after joining from Manchester United, while namesake Ellen Jones is on the bench. Aileen Whelan captains the side after moving from Brighton.

Leicester XI: Levell, Tierney, Flint, Pike, Whelan, Simon, Green, Howard, C Jones, Plumptre, Purfield.

Subs: Poor, Vance, Bott, E Jones, Goodwin, O'Brien, Baker, Scofield.

Amy Turner makes her Tottenham debut in defence this afternoon, with Ellie Brazil among the substitutes after her move from Brighton.

Nikola Karczewska will also have to wait for her chance from the bench after joining from FC Fleury 91.

Tottenham XI: Spencer, Ale, Turner, Bartrip, Zadorsky, Neville, James, Spence, Naz, Ayane, Summanen.

Subs: Korpela, Pearse, Cho, Petzelberger, Brazil, Simon, Bizet, Karczewska.

It's all over!

Aston Villa claim their first-ever WSL win over Manchester City - and what a win it was, edging a seven-goal thriller at Villa Park.

Alisha Lehmann and debutant Rachel Daly fired them into a 2-0 lead before Laura Coombs got one back for City on the stroke of half-time.

Khadija Shaw and Coombs' second turned the game the game in City's favour but only for Kenza Dali to make it 3-3.

Daly then popped up with her second to win the points for Villa.

A brilliant game - and a thoroughly impressive display by the hosts.

Rachel Daly receives a standing ovation as she is replaced by Olivia McLoughlin.