Rachel Daly hails Kenza Dali’s efforts as Carla Ward praises result that gives Villa hope of closing gap on top four

RACHEL DALY praised Kenza Dali’s ‘special talent’ after Aston Villa derailed Manchester City’s title hunt clinching a 1-1 draw.

Kirsty Hanson’s first-half-leveller saw the Citizens drop points at home in the league for the second time this season.

GettyKirsty Hanson was on target for the visitors who moved up to fifth in the league after a 1-1 draw with Manchester City[/caption]

ReutersKhadija Shaw gave the Citizens an early home lead with her tenth league goal this term[/caption]

Carla Ward’s side have claimed four points from their two league games against Man City this seasonReuters

City, who have gone 13 games unbeaten across all competitions, are currently five behind WSL leaders Chelsea. 

But they could end up eight points off the Blues if the league leaders beat Liverpool at home on Sunday. 

Dali and Hanson, who is on loan from Man United, helped pull the strings in Villa’s attack as they notched up their second win in a row since the start of this year. 

Of Dali’s display, Daly, who previously played alongside the France playmaker at West Ham, told Sky Sports: “This girl’s a special talent.

“She doesn’t quite get the credit that she deserves.

“We had chemistry before (on the pitch) when we’re at West Ham together straight off the bat and we’ve brought it here.”

Victory for Villa has seen them go unbeaten against City home and away in a WSL season for the first time since their promotion to the top tier in 2020. 

They put in an effective counter-attacking display equalising within three minutes of their hosts’ opener.

The team are now fifth before their league cup quarters clash with Arsenal on Thursday. 

Villa boss Carla Ward said: “I don’t think there’s been a game this year where we parked the bus. 

“If we’re going to shorten the gap (between ourselves and other teams) over the next couple of years, it’s important we continue to play with the style and identity that we set out at the start of the season.

“To be fair this (performance) will give the girls hope.

“We have gone out and competed with one of the best teams in the country and possibly dented their Champions League hopes.”

City got off to a flyer with Khadija Shaw almost capitalising on a Villa error

The visitors’ goalkeeper Anna Leat gave the ball away in the fourth minute with Chloe Kelly hitting the side netting moments later. 

And Gareth Taylor’s side took the lead in the 28th minute with Deyna Castellanos poking home after an assist threaded through from Shaw. 

But the visitors burst their bubble shortly after with Hanson levelling just minutes later, after a looped delivery from Daly. 

The second spell saw Kerstin Casparij come on for City after an injury to Esme Morgan with Rachel Corsie coming for Danielle Turner.

And both sides came close to nabbing winners with Hanson thumping the post with a curved effort and Shaw forcing a close range save from Leat in injury time. 

City boss Taylor said: “Our concentration span was poor for the goal we conceded. 

Taylor’s side will hope to return to winning ways when they visit Leicester in their next WSL fixture on February 4Reuters

“We just couldn’t quite get the symmetry right.

“It’s tough (to concede a quick goal). It’s always horrible when that happens.

“A point is not what we wanted. We wanted three points but I think given the performance, it’s a point that we appreciate.”