Aston Villa 2-2 Leicester: Rachel Daly equaliser as hosts avoid WSL home defeat

Rachel Daly volleyed a 75th-minute equaliser to help Aston Villa hold Leicester City to a draw in the Women’s Super League.

Villa’s lead was short-lived as Yuka Momiki equalised with a composed finish two minutes later, wrong-footing Anna Patten and Anna Leat with quick feet before slotting in.

Leicester, playing under interim boss Jennifer Foster, dominated after the break and were rewarded when Sam Tierney’s glancing header from Momiki’s free-kick trickled in off the back post.

Daly’s goal ensured Villa avoided yet another home defeat, keeping them seventh in the WSL and three points above Leicester.

England international Daly went close to a winner with five minutes remaining, but she could not get enough power on a header to nod it towards goal.

Villa salvage point against dominant Foxes

After a week that saw Kirk sacked following an investigation into an allegation he had a relationship with a player, Leicester were unlucky not to come away from the Poundland Bescot Stadium with all three points.

Victory would have seen them go level on points with Villa, who have won just one league game at home this season.

Despite making a slow start, the visitors grew into the game and Lena Petermann pounced on complacent Villa defending to play in Momiki for the equaliser.

Japanese forward Momiki proved a real threat throughout. As well as setting up Leicester’s second goal, Momiki was denied a personal double when Villa keeper Leat produced a superb fingertip save.

It was the wily Jordan Nobbs who provided the spark for Villa’s comeback, lifting the ball over Leicester’s defence to find Daly, who fired in from close range.

There will be questions over whether the England forward was offside, but her goal ensured Villa salvaged a point before the international break.