Manchester United have a corner after Laura Blindkilde Brown does well to close down Katie Zelem and stop her from releasing the ball towards the box from out wide.

It's been an end-to-end opening few minutes at Villa Park.

The hosts are advancing well and have been particularly threatening on the counter, with Rachel Daly charging through United's back line earlier.

United are trying to slow down the tempo.

Image source, Reuters

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

Losing Hannah Hampton was always going to be a bit tricky for Aston Villa.

But arguably in Daphne van Domselaar they have signed a goalkeeper who is just as good.

She also has more experience, we saw her produce a great display for the Netherlands against England last week.

Oooh.

Aston Villa counter and Lucy Staniforth - a former Manchester United player of course - tries her luck from distance. Mary Earps bats it away for a corner.

Manchester United make an early advance with Leah Galton getting in down the left-hand side.

She whips a cross towards the middle of the box but it's caught by Daphne van Domselaar.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Villa Park

Image source, PA Media

Villa Park has just observed a moment's silence in tribute to Maddy Cusack, who passed away this month.

Maddy was a former player of Villa manager Carla Ward. She actually signed the midfielder while in charge of Sheffield United.

Both club's staff members stood arm-in-arm on the touchline while players formed a circle in the middle of the pitch.

Here we go!

There will be a minute's silence before today's game, and every WSL game this weekend, to remember former Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack.

Image source, Getty Images

Who do you think will come out on top this afternoon?

Hit the thumb's up for Aston Villa, or the thumb's down for Manchester United.

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Two

14 clubs wanted Van Domselaar in the summer, and it is a fantastic signing for Villa to secure.

She is so dominant in her box. She moves her feet so quickly to be able to get down to difficult saves and smother incoming attackers.

I think she will be key for Villa this season and make the difference for them maybe finishing a few places higher.

Not long to go now.

The teams are out at Villa Park.

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Man Utd boss Marc Skinner to BBC Two:

On fitting new signings into the squad: "We have a unique bond in this group of bringing people together, we had a lot of new players last year too. The quality of players who have joined the group are very good, and I'm sure they will look to settle in quickly.

"Of course we would have loved a proper build up, but I'm sure every other coach in the WSL would have done. We just have to make sure we get on with what we can. I don't think it will be perfect straight away but it will grow.

On new signing Geyse: "What we believed was that last season we missed big key players to provide those big moments. I think that could have made the difference in the title race last year.

"We need that type of player, other title winners in the past have had it in abundance, and now with Geyse and a few of the others we hopefully will have that. Also she will be a wonderful player for the fans to come and watch.

On aims for season after coming so close to the title last year: " We need to find the secret formulas. This league has become even more difficult in the summer, you see Villa today they've had huge investment in summer, so things will be even tougher this season.

"We need to learn from our previous mistakes. We have had lots of different experiences together, found ways to mount incredible comebacks, and really built some resilience in moments.

"As Manchester United we come to win every day. We know it will be diffcult, it will take time together, time to build, but we always look to win. So I hope today is the first of many wins."

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Two

For players coming back into the season so soon after the World Cup, with Nations League having been played too, will be tough.

I think some of them only got around 6 days off. So that will be both mentally and physically tiring for them and may impact the start of the season for some teams.

But it is the start of a new season and that is always really exciting.

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC Two

It was a fantastic tournament, full of highs and lows, for the players and for us fans off the pitch.

The momentum of the tournament needs to be carried into this season.

The players put respect on the women's game at the World Cup, not just the Lionesses, but the tournament as whole. We need to feed off that energy now.

We're at Villa Park today, half sold out stadium, and that shows the progress of the game. We need to make sure we take that forwards now.

Aston Villa

Image source, Reuters

Aston Villa boss Carla Ward to BBC Two: "There is no better way to start the season, against a big team, at Villa Park with a huge home crowd. When the fixtures come out you want this sort of game first.

"Manchester United showed last year that they are one of the best teams in the country, they have recruited well again in the summer. We are under no illusions that we are facing a team looking at chasing down the title today.

On a debut for Daphne van Domselaar: "She's got the potential to be one of the best in the world, if not the best in the world. She's a young player, she's hungry. She is a great character.

"She's settled in well and is raring to go. The best way to put it is that she can't wait to get going today.

On handling expectations after a strong season last round: "There is no pressure from anyone apart from ourselves. It is really important that we continue to drive our standards around what we want to achieve.

"I have heard a lot this week about how much pressure we are under. But we are not. It is media hype, potentially opposition hype too, but we know what we want to do, what we are going to and we are focussed on that. We don't listen to the noise."

On the issue surrounding the Villa kit: "It is something that I have tried to completely ignore to be honest. The club have been excellent with us, with myself and the players around it. But it is my job to make sure we focus solely on the game."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

I had high hopes for Everton last season and they delivered, finishing sixth and rounding off a solid debut campaign under manager Brian Sorensen.

But they were very inconsistent and had a few runs of poor results. This summer they lost key defenders Rikke Sevecke and Gabby George, despite adding a bit of depth to the squad.

Other teams around them seem to be progressing as well, so I think Everton could have a tough season.

• Read the rest of Emma Sanders' Women's Super League predictions here

Everton have made seven new singings as they look to improve on last season's sixth place finish.

Among the standout additions are England goalkeeper Emily Ramsey who has joined the club from Manchester United and Belgian midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet signed from Reading.

Losing England defender Gabby George to Manchester United on deadline day will be a huge blow.

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport

Under the management of American Melissa Phillips, who was appointed in April, Brighton are in good hands and they showed signs of progression at the end of last season as they secured WSL safety.

They have made some strong signings this summer too, such as two-time Champions League winner Pauline Bremer, and Phillips seems to have finally given them an identity and a good structure to build on.

Perhaps it is ambitious to think they will climb five places in the table from where they finished last season, but they are my dark horses and I think they will surprise teams.

• Read the rest of Emma Sanders' Women's Super League predictions here

Brighton finished second from bottom last season, avoiding relegation by five points.

However, the signings this summer suggest that they are aiming higher for the 2023/24 campaign.

Among the 10 new additions are Spain midfielder Vicky Losada and Germany forward Pauline Bremer.

Losada has previously played for Arsenal and Manchester City in the WSL, while Bremer also played for Manchester City so they will bring much needed experience to a team who endured significant struggles last season.

First-choice goalkeeper Megan Walsh left the club and Brighton signed two new goalkeepers, Sophie Baggaley from Manchester United and Nicky Evrard on loan from Chelsea.