A second-half surge helped Manchester United comfortably defeat Aston Villa for their first victory in three Women’s Super League matches and move one point behind third-placed Arsenal.
Kirsty Hanson had cancelled out Julia Zigiotti Olme’s opener for United in the first half but goals from Elisabeth Terland, Jessica Park and Hanna Lundkvist after the restart ensured Marc Skinner’s side returned to winning ways.
United dominated possession in the early stages and were rewarded with the breakthrough at Villa Park.
Ellie Roebuck failed to deal with Zigiotti Olme’s inswinging corner, which flew over the Villa goalkeeper and straight into the top‑right corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute.
But their advantage lasted only two minutes as Hanson struck against her old side, finishing through the legs of Jayde Riviere to wrong-foot keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce for her seventh league goal of the season.
Tullis-Joyce, however, was on hand to keep out Maya Hijikata’s curling effort late in the first half to make sure the score remained level at the interval.
United had to wait until the 71st minute to regain the lead when Hinata Miyazawa’s ball into the box was knocked down by Melvine Malard for substitute Terland to fire home a first-time effort.
Jess Park then drove into the box and finished past Roebuck to give United a two-goal cushion before she played in Lundkvist to score her first WSL goal and seal the victory.
The result means United sit fourth with 25 points while Villa are seventh with 16 points.
