The new Women's Super League marks the start of a new era for reigning champions Chelsea, with long-serving boss Emma Hayes having departed in summer to start a new adventure with the USA Women's team.
Last year they just about did enough to claim the title on goal difference ahead of Manchester City, while Arsenal will again hope to make it a three-horse race for the WSL title. Meanwhile Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham will hope to progress after further rebuilding this summer.
Crystal Palace were promoted to replace Bristol City in the top flight, while on a wider note, the league is now under the management and operation of a new organisation set up to lead women's football towards further growth and progression, with Nikki Doucet overseeing both the WSL and Championship in a new phase for the game.
Follow the live action below as Aston Villa face Manchester City today in the WSL:
Aston Villa WFC 2 - 4 Manchester City WFC
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:54Khadija Shaw (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:53Offside, Aston Villa Women. Paula Tomás is caught offside.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:51Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:50Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:50Offside, Manchester City Women. Khadija Shaw is caught offside.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:50Attempt blocked. Paula Tomás (Aston Villa Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:45Substitution, Manchester City Women. Aemu Oyama replaces Yui Hasegawa.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:45Substitution, Manchester City Women. Laura Blindkilde Brown replaces Jill Roord.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:42Attempt blocked. Jill Roord (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kerstin Casparij.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:40Offside, Manchester City Women. Kerolin is caught offside.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:37Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Noëlle Maritz replaces Sarah Mayling.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:37Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Lucy Parker replaces Danielle Turner.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:37Substitution, Manchester City Women. Khadija Shaw replaces Vivianne Miedema.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:37Substitution, Manchester City Women. Kerolin replaces Aoba Fujino.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:33Attempt saved. Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:33Attempt blocked. Mary Fowler (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:29Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Kirsty Hanson.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:27Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:25Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Miri Taylor replaces Jill Baijings.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:25Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Ebony Salmon replaces Adriana Leon.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:22Goal! Aston Villa Women 2, Manchester City Women 4. Jessica Park (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kerstin Casparij with a cross.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:21Rebecca Knaak (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:19Foul by Leila Ouahabi (Manchester City Women).
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:17Corner, Aston Villa Women. Conceded by Leila Ouahabi.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:15Substitution, Aston Villa Women. Paula Tomás replaces Mayumi Pacheco because of an injury.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:16Attempt missed. Jill Roord (Manchester City Women) header from more than 35 yards.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:14Goal! Aston Villa Women 2, Manchester City Women 3. Mary Fowler (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from more than 35 yards.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:14Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:14Delay in match because of an injury Mayumi Pacheco (Aston Villa Women).
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:10Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:09Aoba Fujino (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:06Own Goal by Laia Aleixandri, Manchester City Women. Aston Villa Women 2, Manchester City Women 2.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
13:05Second Half begins Aston Villa Women 1, Manchester City Women 2.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:49First Half ends, Aston Villa Women 1, Manchester City Women 2.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:49Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:47Foul by Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City Women).
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:46Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:45Offside, Manchester City Women. Aoba Fujino is caught offside.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:44Foul by Jill Roord (Manchester City Women).
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:40Attempt missed. Jill Roord (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from very close range.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:40Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:40Delay in match because of an injury Rachel Daly (Aston Villa Women).
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:36Goal! Aston Villa Women 1, Manchester City Women 2. Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Mary Fowler.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:35Aoba Fujino (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:35Attempt saved. Aoba Fujino (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Vivianne Miedema.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:29Goal! Aston Villa Women 1, Manchester City Women 1. Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:28Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:26Attempt saved. Leila Ouahabi (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jessica Park.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:26Attempt blocked. Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rebecca Knaak.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:24Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Anna Patten.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:24Attempt blocked. Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:24Attempt missed. Jill Roord (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Vivianne Miedema.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:19Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Mayumi Pacheco.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:17Attempt missed. Mary Fowler (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Jessica Park.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:15Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:15Offside, Manchester City Women. Mary Fowler is caught offside.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:13Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Mayumi Pacheco.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:09Attempt missed. Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:07Goal! Aston Villa Women 1, Manchester City Women 0. Chasity Grant (Aston Villa Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Sarah Mayling.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:07Attempt saved. Jill Roord (Manchester City Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Aoba Fujino with a cross.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:24Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Danielle Turner.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:07Attempt blocked. Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jill Roord.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:05Corner, Manchester City Women. Conceded by Sarah Mayling.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:04Hand ball by Mayumi Pacheco (Aston Villa Women).
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:03Offside, Manchester City Women. Vivianne Miedema is caught offside.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
12:01First Half begins.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
11:30Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
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