Julia Zigiotti Olme came off the bench to score the winner as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 1-0, extending their unbeaten Women’s Super League run to seven matches.
The Swedish midfielder settled the contest with an unmarked header in the 72nd minute, handing Brian Sorensen his first league defeat since taking charge of Villa in September.
United controlled the opening half but struggled to find a breakthrough despite forcing goalkeeper Akane Okuma into five saves.
Their closest attempt came through Hinata Miyazawa, whose ambitious strike from 20 yards rattled the crossbar.
Villa managed just two touches inside United’s penalty area before the interval and did not register an attempt until the 45th minute, when Lucia Kendall’s effort was comfortably gathered by Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The hosts returned with greater purpose after the break, forcing the United goalkeeper into fine stops to deny Amalie Vangsgaard and Oriane Jean-Francois.
However, United’s substitutes made the decisive contribution.
Zigiotti Olme and Andrea Medina, who had scored five of the team’s nine league goals between them this season, both started on the bench.
United coach Eva Olid attributed the changes to squad rotation and Medina’s illness.
Their introductions proved crucial.
Medina drove forward, drawing the attention of two Villa defenders before releasing Hanna Lundkvist.
Lundkvist then delivered a deep cross towards fellow Swede Zigiotti Olme, who found space to head home without a challenge and secure all three points.
