#FAWSL: Aston Villa Women earn point with stoppage-time equaliser

Aston Villa's Diana SIlva
Diana Silva got Aston Villa’s late equaliser. (Photo: Kunjan Malde for The FA)

Aston Villa twice equalised to draw 2-2 with Reading in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, the second leveller on 91 minutes.

The Royals were ahead inside three minutes of Saturday’s fixture at Walsall FC, Angharad James scoring with a close-range header after Lisa Weiss had parried Jess Fishlock’s 20-yard strike.

Emma Mitchell and Bethan Roberts both tested the Villa keeper, who collided with Lauren Bruton when trying to gather her own loose clearance as Reading remained on top in the first half.

Bruton eventually had to go off injured and Stine Larssen had a couple of half-chances for the hosts before half-time.

Villa were level via a free kick 10 minutes after the restart, Natalie Haigh playing in a low ball for Mana Iwabuchi to turn home.

However, the visitors swiftly restored their lead when Fishlock played in Rachel Rowe to finish from the corner of the six-yard box.

Weiss twice needed treatment after making a double save to keep her side in the game, while a block by Fishlock stopped Larssen’s strike at goal.

With the snow now coating the surface of the pitch, Villa got level as Diana Silva tucked the ball away from Manabuchi’s effort.

Gemma Davies’ side might even have taken all three points but Shania Hayles could not make the most of getting beyond the Reading defence, as Villa stepped five points clear of danger.

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