Julia Zigiotti Olme came off the bench to head Manchester United to a 1-0 Women’s Super League win over Aston Villa at Villa Park, scoring unmarked in the 72nd minute.
The victory extends United’s unbeaten run in the WSL to seven games. For Villa, it was a first league defeat since Brian Sorensen was appointed coach in September.
United controlled the first half almost completely, restricting the hosts to two touches in their penalty area, but could not turn that dominance into a lead. Villa goalkeeper Akane Okuma made five saves before the break and was beaten only by Hinata Miyazawa’s speculative 20-yard effort, which struck the crossbar.
Villa’s first attempt at goal did not arrive until the 45th minute, when Lucia Kendall’s strike was comfortably held by Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The American goalkeeper was far busier after halftime, making impressive saves to keep out Amalie Vangsgaard and Oriane Jean-Francois as an invigorated Villa side pushed forward.
United started without Zigiotti Olme and Andrea Medina, who had combined for five of the team’s nine league goals this season. Eva Olid cited rotation and Medina’s illness when explaining the changes, and both players came off the bench before combining on the winner.
Medina carried the ball forward and occupied two Villa players before slipping a pass to Hanna Lundkvist. The Swede delivered a deep cross that found her compatriot Zigiotti Olme, who headed the ball into the Villa net without a challenge.
United’s inability to make more of a one-sided opening period left the game unsettled until that goal, and Villa’s improved second-half display made the substitute’s header the decisive moment in a contest the visitors had largely controlled.