Leicester City: Leitzig; Nevin, Tierney, Howard, Rantala, Petermann, Cayman, Takarada, Thibuad, O’Brien, Momiki.

Aston Villa: Van Domselaar; Mayling, Patten, Staniforth, Corsie, Lehmann, Daly, Blindkilde, Leon, Maritz.

The Barclays Women’s Super League was back in action this evening, as Pirelli Stadium played host to a Friday night clash between Leicester City and Aston Villa. The clash arrived as a highly anticipated battle for both Willie Kirk and Carla Ward, with only a single point separating the two sides on the league’s table.

All was underway down on the ground, both sides commencing the fixture with hungry intent. Latest signing in Noelle Maritz struck ambitiously from range, though her attempt goal floated behind past Leitzig and out for a goal-kick.

The deadlock was broken just moments later, as a set piece corner strike from Adreanna Leon found Rachel Daly inside of the area. The English striker capitalised off a well-found deflection, finding the back of the net to give Aston Villa the advantage heading in to the fifteenth minute of play.

Aston Villa searched to double their advantage, as Alisha Lehmann looked set to score inside the area. Though a superb effort from Leiztig saw Lehmann’s strike palmed away from the danger zone and out for a corner.

Leicester City found themselves breaking away for their first opportunity in on goal, as Shannon O’Brien found herself in a one-on-one situation with Daphne Van Domeselaar. Though her best efforts were to no avail, as the flag was raised for offside.

O’Brien was granted another opportunity to bring the Foxes level, though her strike fell unassumingly into the safe hands of Van Domselaar.

Leon continued to look threatening on the attack, as the Canadian forward found herself creating another opportunity in on goal for the Villans. Despite her best efforts, Leon’s strike was narrowly sent over the bar.

The score remained unchanged heading into the half-time break, Daly’s strike being the difference between the two sides as the interval arrived.

Willie Kirk opted for two changes at the break, as Jutta Rental and Sophie Howard made way for Deanne Rose and Josie Green.

As the second half went back underway, there Foxes were faced with an early opportunity to draw things level. As Takarada’s long-ranged strike was narrowly palmed away by a stretching Van Domeselaar, the Dutch goalkeeper’s respite was short-lived, as O’Brien geared up to strike the crumbs. Though her effort from inside the area lacked conviction and was sent aimlessly over the crossbar.

Aston Villa broke through the centre of the park with conviction, as Leon found herself in a one-on-one position with the goalkeeper. Failing to double the advantage, Leitzig pulled off another spectacular save to keep her side’s deficit to a minimal margin.

Late drama filled the penalty area, as Rose’s advance inside the area was desperately saved by a desperate Van Domselaar. A scuffle inside the area was cleared in desperation, as the Villans narrowly escaped a late equaliser from an anguished Foxes side.

It was full-time rapture for the visitors, as Rachel Daly’s first-half finish proved the difference at Pirelli Stadium.