Ebony Salmon netted late on as Aston Villa finished strongly to defeat Bristol City 2-0 at Ashton Gate and register their first Women’s Super League win of the season.

It looked as though the bottom two sides were going to cancel one another out in a game of few chances until England striker Rachel Daly popped up in the right place at the right time to fire Villa in front via Megan Connolly after 77 minutes.

Substitute Salmon then calmed any remaining nerves by adding a second four minutes from time to settle the issue.

Villa were grateful to keeper Daphne van Domselaar, who made a fine fingertip save to prevent Rachel Furness from giving City the lead with a powerful drive midway through the first half.

But the visitors dominated possession, carried the greater threat in the final third and thoroughly deserved to take the three points and end a run of five straight defeats.

Having picked up their first win at West Ham a week earlier, City suffered a setback in front of their home crowd, going down to a third successive defeat at Ashton Gate to return to the foot of the table on goal difference behind Villa.

Still seeking their first win of the season, Villa dominated possession in the first half without quite managing to create the clear-cut opportunities their territorial advantage demanded.

Rachel Corsie scuffed their best chance over the bar after City failed to clear a corner, while star striker Daly headed off target.

Unable to retain possession for long enough to apply sustained pressure, the Robins nevertheless posed a threat on the counter attack and Villa keeper Van Domselaar had to be alert to smother an angled shot from Ffion Morgan after the wing-back had been set free by Abi Harrison.

Encouraged by that near miss, the Robins pressed and Van Domselaar was called into action once more, this time taking off to turn a Furness blockbuster behind.

A series of injury-enforced stoppages meant the contest lacked rhythm and City were dealt a blow in stoppage time when keeper Kaylan Marckese hurt herself in the act of saving a Daly header and had to be replaced by Liv Clark.

Villa continued to force the issue after the break and Daly squandered their best opening so far, steering her shot across the face of goal and beyond the far post after being put clean through by Laura Blindkilde.

Kirsty Hanson then tried her luck from outside the box, only to find Clark equal to her effort as City continued to defend stoutly.

City’s substitute goalkeeper again excelled when going full-length to keep out Sarah Mayling’s curling free-kick as Villa turned up the heat.

But there was nothing that Clark could do to prevent Daly breaking the deadlock 14 minutes from time, the England forward applying a finishing touch from close range after substitute Salmon had burst through City’s defensive lines.

Forced to throw caution to the winds and chase an equaliser, the Robins left gaps at the back and, having turned provider for Daly, Salmon came up with a goal of her own, sliding a low shot beyond Clarke from 10 yards out to put the outcome beyond doubt in the 86th minute.