Skinner hails 'dominant' United display at Villa Park

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner insists his side fully deserved their last-gasp 2-1 victory over 10-player Aston Villa. 

The hosts lost Kirsty Hanson for a high challenge on Hayley Ladd with just over 15 minutes to go at Villa Park — but they soon took an unlikely lead through Rachel Daly's snap-shot

United were not behind for long, however, as Lucia Garcia netted from close range in the 79th minute and they snatched victory deep into stoppage time when Rachel Williams nodded home. 

Skinner thought the last-minute goal was just what his side deserved. He told Manchester United's website: "I thought we were dominant.

"Villa are a good team. For us to come here on the first day of the season in front of their fans and put that performance in, I think everyone can be proud of that. 

"That was absolutely deserved and we were the dominant team. 

"We got Villa in a deep block in the first half, they were fighting for their lives and we never took our foot off — we quite rightly and deservedly won the game."

Williams, 35, opened her account for the season when she nodded in from Nikita Parris' deflected cross.

Skinner hailed the forward's ability inside the area and thought his side should have had the result wrapped up earlier. 

The United boss added: "She's deadly in the box. We have got to put the ball in the box and that's what we have got to be better at. 

"We have to utilise the skill around what the opponents have or haven't got. We should have scored more and then the game would have been out of sight way earlier."

Villa boss Carla Ward said: "I'm proud of the players, I thought they were sensational. 

"I thought we executed what we wanted to do and they deserved better. 

"The character to go down to 10, to stay in the game and go and try and win is testament to them and testament to what we want to do."