Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester City: Player Ratings as Stanway Double Downs Villa

Manchester City got their Women's Super League campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.

The WSL newbies went toe-to-toe with City for most of the game, but were undone by mistakes of their own making. Villa were caught attempting to play out from the back twice inside the opening 21 minutes, and were punished by Georgia Stanway on both occasions.

It was not the most polished performance from City, and Villa – who had a goal unfairly ruled out for offside – competed well with their world class opponents, but a combination of the visitors' lethalness and the hosts' first-half naivety saw City take all three points.

Aston Villa

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Sian Rogers (GK) - 6/10 - Produced a poor mistake that led to Stanway's second, and her decision making caused problems as Villa attempted to play out from the back. Although disappointing with the ball at her feet early on, made three really smart saves in the second half.

Caroline Siems (LB) - 6/10 - A defensive mix-up resulted in her pass back leading to City's first, but otherwise did well to keep Beckie relatively quiet.

Nat Haigh (CB) - 5/10 - Poor communication to lead to Stanway's opener as part of a defensive mixup.

Elisha N'Dow (CB) - 6/10 - A pretty solid performance, swept up well and carried the ball out from the back effectively on a couple of occasions.

Ella Franklin-Faiture (RB) - 5/10 - Made a goal-saving block to keep out Kelly in the second half but struggled at times against the lively England winger, especially in the first half.

2. Midfielders

Ramona Petzelberger (CM) - 6/10 - Looked composed on the ball as Villa kept possession well and were not afraid to play City at their own, possession-based game.

Chloe Arthur (CM) - 7/10 - Really tidy in possession as Villa's central trio competed well with City's world class midfield.

Marisa Ewers (CM) - 5/10 - Poor attempted backpass led to City's second but always looked to get on the ball as Villa played out from the back.

3. Forwards

Diana Silva (LW) - 7/10 - A really promising debut from the Portuguese international, who looked creative, exciting and was Villa's most dangerous player. Should have scored minutes into the second half but sent a great opportunity wide.

Stine Larson (ST) - 7/10 - A real physical presence up top, held the ball up well and brought others into play. Could have played Follis in but opted to go for goal herself in the first half, before having a goal unjustly ruled out for offside.

Emma Follis (RW) - 6/10 - Dispossessed Bonner on a couple of occasions to create a golden opportunity for Silva and a chance for herself - but she was kept out well by Roebuck.

4. Substitutes

Asmita Ale - 5/10

Caroline Siems - 5/10

Shania Hayles - N/A

Nadine Hanssen - N/A

Jodie Hutton - N/A

Manchester City

5. Goalkeepers & Defenders

Ellie Roebuck (GK) - 6/10 - Made a superb save to keep out Follis but otherwise had very little to do. What she did do, she did very well.

Demi Stokes (LB) - 7/10 - City looked most threatening when attacking down the left flank, with Stokes combining well with Kelly throughout. A very solid defensive performance to boot.

Steph Houghton (CB) - 6/10 - Characteristically composed at the back and frequently willing to whip out her trademark cross field pass to great affect.

Gemma Bonner (CB) - 5/10 - Made a vital interception to prevent Larson from being slipped through in the first half, but was caught out in possession a couple of times in the second and was lucky neither occasion led to a Villa goal.

Esme Morgan (RB) - 7/10 - Built on her Community Shield performance with another assured display. Much has been made about the potential arrival of Lucy Bronze and, while Morgan does not offer the same athleticism and attacking intent, the youngster is a very good option for City to have.

6. Midfielders

Keira Walsh (CDM) - 6/10 - Her usual effective self when playing in tight spaces and kept City ticking over in possession. Occasionally sloppy on the ball with a couple of misplaced passes, but showed a real tenacity to win possession back and break up play multiple times.

Same Mewis (CM) - 8/10 - Really grew into the game and began exerting her athleticism, physicality, intelligence and class on the match in the second half. Combined well with Beckie throughout. So, so good on the ball once she hit her stride.

Caroline Weir (CM) - 6/10 - Single handedly created two opportunities for herself with excellent quick feet, but fired straight at Rogers and blazed over. Not quite at her brilliant best, but flashes to suggest she is getting there.

7. Forwards

Chloe Kelly (LW) - 7/10 - Followed up her impressive Community Shield display with another exciting performance. So willing to run at players time and time again. Adventurous, skilful and an absolute nuisance, but had a quieter second half.

Georgia Stanway (ST) - 8/10 - Showed great desire, awareness and anticipation to capitalise on two Villa defensive mistakes and grab a brace inside the opening 25 minutes. Should have grabbed a hat-trick on the stroke of half time. Not renowned for her ability to play with her back to goal, but did so very well.

Janine Beckie (RW) - 5/10 - Linked up well with Mewis and created a good opening for her new teammate in the first half. Usually so good at getting in behind, charging towards the byline and pulling the ball back, but never really had the opportunity

8. Substitutes

Ellen White - 7/10

Jill Scott - N/A