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Manchester City missed out on the WSL title despite beating Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park.

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Sat 18 May 2024 12.54 EDTFirst published on Sat 18 May 2024 08.30 EDT
Lauren Hemp stretches to put City back in front.
Lauren Hemp stretches to put City back in front. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters
Lauren Hemp stretches to put City back in front. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

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Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor tells BBC Sport: “I’m so enthusiastic about the way we played today. A lot of the stuff we did was really good. That’s what inspires me to get up in the morning and fight for next season’s title.”

Manchester City have just announced that Ellie Roebuck, Demi Stokes, Ruby Mace and Filippa Angeldahl will leave the club this summer.

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Following her final match with Aston Villa, manager Carla Ward told BBC Sport: “At half-time we weren’t happy, I thought we were too passive but they were still hurting us and creating chances. Disappointing because we wanted to get something.

“I’m delighted with the last three years but I’m delighted that we’ve done a job today.”

Discussing her Villa departure, she continued: “It’s been tough because I love the club, I love the fans, I love the players. I’m knackered, I really am. My daughter doesn’t see me enough.

“I think I need a bit of a breather and to spend the summer holidays with her. I won’t be away long, I was stood on the sideline thinking ‘you love it’ but I’ll be back for sure.”

Carla Ward applauds the fans as she walks onto the pitch Photograph: Morgan Harlow/The FA/Getty Images

“When you get a second chance, make sure you don’t need a third.”

Those were the words of Chelsea manager Emma Hayes this week. Hayes surrendered the WSL title following her team’s shock defeat to Liverpool earlier this month. But following a stunning 8-0 win over Bristol she proudly claimed: “It’s not f***ing over”.

After that moment, the Blues stepped it up another gear or two. They were absolutely relentless against Manchester United this afternoon, winning 6-0 to clinch their fifth consecutive WSL title in sensational style.

Perhaps Manchester City’s lack of experience played a part, but it is a huge testament to everything Hayes has achieved with Chelsea.

It wasn’t the fairytale ending she would’ve hoped for, but Steph Houghton leaves Manchester City a legend. The defender receives a standing ovation from the entire stadium as she makes her way around the pitch.

Steph Houghton applauds the fans after the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City Photograph: Jan Kruger/The FA/Getty Images
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Just two weeks ago, Manchester City had one hand on the trophy. But a late collapse against Arsenal let Chelsea back into the title race. That was a crucial turning point in this season’s run-in.

Those ‘what ifs’ will be running through the minds of those City stars for a long time.

Manchester City’s Leila Ouahabi reacts after the match Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters
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Chelsea are WSL champions!

That result means Chelsea have officially secured the WSL title once again! A fantastic end to another fantastic WSL season.

Full-time: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City

Manchester City win today, but fall at the final hurdle of a thrilling title race.

90+5 min: They might be 2-1 up, but Manchester City look completely defeated. It’s been a great season for Gareth Taylor’s side, but they will finish the campaign trophyless.

90+1 min: Parker receives the first yellow card of the match for a challenge on Blindkilde Brown. Manchester City now have a free kick in a threatening position.

Six minutes have been added on.

87 min: Gregory receives the ball in plenty of space on the left before going for goal, but Keating makes a strong save at the near post.

85 min: Carla Ward makes two changes as Freya Gregory replaces Hanson and Maz Pacheco comes on for Turner.

Five minutes to play.

83 min: Manchester City appeal for a penalty as Aleixandri goes to ground in the box following a challenge from Daly, but the referee dismisses all claims.

81 min: Manchester City have a free kick on the left. Kelly sends the ball into a dangerous position, but Leat comes off her line to claim it.

78 min: Fowler receives the ball on the right before crossing it into the box. Hemp sticks a leg out and manages to deflect it past Leat and into the net.

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City (Hemp, 76)

Hemp puts City back in front, but it’s likely too little too late.

Lauren Hemp pokes City back into the lead. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters
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75 min: Leila Ouahabi, who has replaced Casparij, cuts inside from the left and squares the ball across goal to Blindkilde Brown. The midfielder shoots, but Leat makes another brilliant save.

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72 min: Huge chance for City as Leat’s wayward pass falls straight to the feet of Hemp in the box. The winger goes for goal, but Leat makes up for the error with a great save!

69 min: Daly makes the most of Manchester City’s high defensive line by making a run in behind to receive a great pass from Dali. She carries the ball into the box before slotting it past Keating. Carla Ward is absolutely thrilled!

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester City (Daly, 68)

Daly levels it! City’s title hopes are all-but destroyed.

Rachel Daly breaks through to score. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters
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67 min: Cheers ring around the stadium every time Houghton receives the ball. The defender is receiving praise from both sets of fans in her final outing as a player.

65 min: A huge round of applause echoes around Villa Park as Steph Houghton makes her way onto the pitch for her final Manchester City appearance. She replaces Kennedy and receives the captain’s armband from Greenwood.

63 min: Casparij cuts inside from the right and sends a cross into the box. Her City team-mates fail to get onto the end of it and Maritz sends the ball behind for a corner. Once again, the set piece is wasted and Villa can clear.

58 min: Daly is down and receiving treatment for what appears to be a thigh injury. Meanwhile, Rachel Corsie is on to replace Mayling and Lehmann makes way for Adriana Leon.

55 min: Blindkilde Brown plays the ball though to Hemp in the box, who goes for goal, but Turner deflects it out for a corner. Nothing comes of the set piece.

54 min: Heads must be starting to drop on the Manchester City bench. The visitors need seven goals which, at this stage, is very unrealistic.

50 min: We’re five minutes into this second half and Manchester City have already had four shots. Hemp goes for goal from outside the box, but it’s a simple save for Leat.

It’s not hard to imagine what Gareth Taylor told his players at half-time.

48 min: Aston Villa go on the attack as Hanson makes a run down the left. She crosses it into Daly, but the striker can’t direct her header on target.

47 min: Aleixandri goes for goal with an audacious strike from distance, but her effort flies over the crossbar.

Kick-off: Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester City

We’re back under way. City need SIX goals in this half - will they manage it?

Sarah Rendell is following all the action from Old Trafford in our other live blog. She says: “Chelsea are in cruise control at Old Trafford. Quick fire goals from Mayra Ramirez and Johanna Kaneryd set the tempo. United looked to be growing into the game with Maya Le Tissier hitting the woodwork but the Blues shut it down with goals from Sjoeke Nusken and Ramirez. Chelsea putting on a champions performance and Manchester United look like a ghost of the team from last Sunday.”

Manchester City had 10 shots in that first half, four were on target but they only have a slender one-goal advantage. They now have a huge mountain to climb in the title race. The absence of Khadija Shaw has been evident for Gareth Taylor’s side. They have really lacked that cutting edge.

Half-time: Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester City

Manchester City lead, but they have a mountain to climb in the title race.

Mary Fowler celebrates scoring for Manchester City Photograph: Jan Kruger/The FA/Getty Images
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45+3 min: It’s 4-0 Chelsea now. Surely it’s all over. Manchester City need a miracle in the second half.

45+2 min: Kelly sends a free kick into the box from midfield. Kennedy gets her head to it but her attempt on goal is off-target.

45+1 min: Chance for Aston Villa as Daly sends the ball over to Dali, who goes for goal but fires her shot over the crossbar.

Three minutes have been added on…

44 min: Manchester City have really slowed the tempo in the last few minutes. They seem to be struggling find a gap in the Villa defence.

41 min: We’re into the final five minutes of this first half. Manchester City need a goal, ideally before the break.

38 min: Another big chance for City! Fowler cuts inside from the right and finds Blindkilde Brown in the penalty area. The midfielder goes for goal first time, but her effort shakes the crossbar! Manchester City may come to regret these missed chances later today…

35 min: Blindkilde Brown sends a pass to Hemp on the left. She cuts inside and looks to set the ball back to the edge of the penalty area, but Dali picks it up instead.

33 min: With just over 10 minutes to play in this first half, Manchester City have the momentum. They need another goal before the break, especially with Chelsea still 2-0 up against Manchester United.

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30 min: Casparij is given plenty of space to make a run forward with the ball. She plays it through to Fowler who looks to square it across goal. Her pass finds Hemp and the winger goes for goal, but Mayling makes a sensational block on the edge of the six-yard box to keep it out!

29 min: Park receives a pass on the halfway line and plays the ball through to Hemp, who makes a run in behind the Villa defence, but Leat comes out to collect.

28 min: A fire has been ignited for Manchester City. Gareth Taylor’s side have upped the intensity and are now really piling the pressure on Aston Villa.

25 min: Another big chance for Manchester City. Blindkilde Brown, who has been brilliant since coming on, receives the ball in midfield before gliding past Taylor and sending a great pass through to Park. The England star carries it into the box and goes for goal but forces a save from Leat.

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