Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City: Daly sends Villa into FA Cup semi-finals

Rachel Daly is Aston Villa's highest goalscorer this season with 13 in all competitions

Aston Villa's Women's FA Cup quarter-final victory over Manchester City was "probably the biggest night" in the club's history, says boss Carla Ward.

Villa beat last year's finalists with a goal in extra time on Sunday to book their place in the semi-finals for the first time.

Rachel Daly fired home in the 97th minute from close range to shock the three-time winners.

City's Deyna Castellanos had earlier cancelled out Rachel Corsie's opener.

"I'm lost for words. This group continues to achieve and prove people wrong," said Ward.

"The relentless nature of their attitudes was unbelievable. Everybody played their part. We deserve to be in the semi-finals after that performance.

"I'm proud of each and every one of them. This was massive."

It was a match with plenty of chances. Defender Danielle Turner almost won it for Villa in the last action of normal time but her header went just beyond the far post.

City's Chloe Kelly ran through on goal after 80 minutes but shot wide, while Villa goalkeeper Hannah Hampton denied Filippa Angeldahl minutes later.

Scotland international Corsie had put Villa ahead in the 21st minute with a bullet header from a corner before Castellanos got on the end of a Lauren Hemp cross to make it 1-1.

Castellanos and Hemp went close again in the second half while Women's Super League top scorer Khadija Shaw had a quiet night in front of goal.

Aston Villa aiming high

Aston Villa win — As well as beating them in the FA Cup, Aston Villa have taken four points off Manchester City in the league

Daly's superb form continues this season as Villa threaten the WSL big three of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Lionesses forward had a first-time effort brilliantly saved by Ellie Roebuck and her spectacular shot from around 30 yards led to the corner from which Villa scored the opener.

Villa, who defeated West Ham last weekend, sit fifth in the WSL and are unbeaten in 2023.

They will find out their FA Cup semi-final opponents in Tuesday's draw, which will take place on Morning Live on BBC One.

Meanwhile, Manchester City face WSL champions Chelsea on Sunday as they try to consolidate their place in the league's top three.

"This team, I don't think, have an issue with bouncing back. They have shown strength in adversity previously," said manager Gareth Taylor.

"I want to see the fire in their eyes, ready to go again. We move on to Chelsea now and will do our very best to win that."

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Aston Villa Women

Formation 4-3-3

1Hampton
2MaylingSubstituted forPachecoat 60'minutes
14Turner
15Patten
6Corsie
10DaliBooked at 101mins
88NobbsSubstituted forRabjohnat 118'minutes
12Staniforth
19BlindkildeSubstituted forLehmannat 79'minutes
8Daly
20HansonBooked at 117minsSubstituted forGregoryat 120+1'minutes

Substitutes

7Lehmann
18Gregory
21Leat
28Rabjohn
33Pacheco
35Mullett

Man City Women

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Roebuck
2Casparij
14Morgan
5GreenwoodBooked at 53mins
4AleixandriSubstituted forFowlerat 105'minutes
25Hasegawa
12AngeldahlSubstituted forCoombsat 105'minutes
9Kelly
10Castellanos
11HempSubstituted forRasoat 112'minutes
21Shaw

Substitutes

3Stokes
6Houghton
7Coombs
8Fowler
13Raso
15Ouahabi
22MacIver
33Kennedy
41Blakstad

Referee:: Rebecca Welch
Attendance:: 1,702

Match Stats

Home TeamAston Villa WomenAway TeamMan City Women

Possession: Home45%; Away55%

Shots: Home7; Away19

Shots on Target: Home3; Away3

Corners: Home4; Away10

Fouls: Home14; Away13

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Aston Villa Women 2, Manchester City Women 1.
120'+7'
Post update
Second Half Extra Time ends, Aston Villa Women 2, Manchester City Women 1.

120'+6'
Post update
Foul by Alisha Lehmann (Aston Villa Women).
120'+6'
Post update
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
120'+5'
Post update
Anna Patten (Aston Villa Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
120'+5'
Post update
Foul by Khadija Shaw (Manchester City Women).
120'+5'
Post update
Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Evie Rabjohn.
120'+4'
Post update
Foul by Evie Rabjohn (Aston Villa Women).
120'+4'
Post update
Chloe Kelly (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
120'+1'
Substitution
Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Freya Gregory replaces Kirsty Hanson.
118'
Substitution
Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Evie Rabjohn replaces Jordan Nobbs.
118'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Chloe Kelly (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
117'
Booking
Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
117'
Post update
Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
117'
Post update
Foul by Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa Women).
114'
Post update
Attempt missed. Deyna Castellanos (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
113'
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
112'
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City Women. Hayley Raso replaces Lauren Hemp.
110'
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Alex Greenwood (Manchester City Women).
108'
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.