Man City player ratings gallery vs Aston Villa - four score 5/10 with only one 7 as City poor in 1-1 draw

Manchester City lost further ground in the race for the Champions League spots as they struggled to a disappointing draw at home to new look Aston Villa at the Academy Stadium.

Deyna Castellanos’ 28th minute strike looked like it would set City up for a routine win but Carla Ward’s side would prove more than a match for them after Kirsty Hanson’s quick equaliser on 31 minutes.

Head coach Gareth Taylor handed starting berths to Esme Morgan and Alanna Kennedy in defence while he continued with his trusted front three of Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Bunny Shaw.

And it was the home side that went close first when WSL top scorer Shaw connected to an excellent Hemp cross, however, Danielle Carter did just enough to block the shot and allow Anna Leat to gather.

Kelly would then go even closer when her fierce shot smashed into the side netting after just six minutes. City would control the bulk of the first half hour but a slack clearance from Alex Greenwood almost presented Villa winger Laura Blindkilde with an opportunity on goal but the centre back recovered well to block.

Shortly before the half hour mark though City would grab a deserved lead when some excellent hold up play from Shaw allowed her to release Castellanos on goal and the Venezuelan made no mistake.

The lead wouldn’t last long though and the away side found themselves level when Man Utd loanee Hanson somehow managed to squeeze Rachel Daly’s deflected cross beyond Roebuck in the City net.

And the Hanson goal appeared to shake the home side who struggled for the remainder of the first half aside from a strong run and shot from Hemp.

Taylor would introduce Kerstin Casparij at the half time break in order to try and prevent the away side’s attacking threat though - once again - Hanson would find space on the right hand side and was unlucky to see her curled effort thump the inside of the post on 50 minutes.

It was Villa who would go close again 20 minutes from time when Daly once again whipped in a dangerous cross that substitute Alisha Lehmann almost poked home. Kenza Dali would then test Ellie Roebuck with a fierce half volley from the edge of the area.

The always dangerous Shaw almost grabbed an injury time winner when she latched onto Alex Greenwood’s deep cross but Leat in the Villa goal did just enough to tip wide and secure her side a point. The draw leaves Taylor’s side in fourth place and two points behind Arsenal in third place - though City have played one game extra.