The England star broke the deadlock at Villa Park but Lucia Garcia ensured that the Manchester club didn't leave empty-handed
Rachel Williams was Manchester United's unlikely stoppage time hero on Sunday as the Red Devils fought back in dramatic fashion to beat Aston Villa 2-1 on the opening day of the Women's Super League season. England star Rachel Daly, last season's Golden Boot winner, had given the Villans the lead but it was too much to hold onto with 10 players, former United winger Kirsty Hanson sent off before goals from Lucia Garcia and Williams turned the game around.
An even first half didn't bring with it too many clear cut chances, though new Villa goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar was forced into a fantastic save when Geyse broke down the right for United and fired an effort across goal. It was the hosts who actually had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes but Alisha Lehmann's effort when through on goal was well over Mary Earps' bar.
Instead, all of the goal came towards the end of the second half – only three minutes separating instinctive finishes from Daly and Garcia before Williams' 92nd-minute header ensured all three points for United.
GOAL rates Man Utd's players from Villa Park…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Mary Earps (6/10):
Unconvincing when tested early on but didn't have much else to do after that. Composed on the ball.
Hannah Blundell (6/10):
Had her hands full defensively because of Hanson's threat so couldn't have much of an impact in the final third.
Maya Le Tissier (7/10):
Fantastic on the ball, keeping it well under pressure at the back trying to break down a tough Villa defence with some more direct passes. Made a great tackle on Daly in the box.
Millie Turner (7/10):
Solid as usual in her defending and work on the ball.
Gabby George (6/10):
Could've cost her team when she played Lehmann onside for the first half's biggest chance but didn't do much wrong otherwise. Got forward well, though struggled with her end product.
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Katie Zelem (6/10):
Kept things ticking in midfield and delivered brilliant set pieces.
Hayley Ladd (5/10):
Battled well in the middle but couldn't really make much impact when in possession.
Ella Toone (6/10):
Took up good positions in the final third and moved the ball well but couldn't break Villa down.
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Lucia Garcia (7/10):
Pressed well and was one of United's liveliest sparks, deserving her goal in the second half. She did her defensive duties well, too.
Geyse (7/10):
Linked up brilliantly with Garcia in the first half and was constantly a threat in behind but her tendency to drift wide meant United lacked a penalty box presence.
Leah Galton (5/10):
Had a couple of good moments cutting in from the left but wasn't as impactful as she usually is.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Rachel Williams (6/10):
Replaced Geyse with 25 minutes left and hardly had a kick until directing her header past Van Domselaar in stoppage time to win the game.
Nikita Parris (5/10):
Came on with 20 minutes to go and worked hard to get involved but without having a major impact.
Hinata Miyazawa (N/A):
Only on for the final 10 minutes.
Marc Skinner (6/10):
It was always going to be interesting to see how United looked with so many new faces and while there are positive signs there, particularly with the number of lively attackers in the squad now, Skinner faces a real challenge in trying to get the front three to gel and ensure there is constantly a penalty box threat in it. That was lacking a lot on Sunday.