Manchester City secured their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Joie Stadium on March 9, 2025. The match, part of the quarter-final round, saw City emerge dominant, overcoming a spirited Villa side who had their chances but could not capitalize.
City was eager to make amends after their recent dip in form, sitting fourth in the Women’s Super League (WSL) standings, 12 points behind leaders Chelsea. Despite facing West Ham just four days earlier, where they were held to a 1-1 draw, Gareth Taylor’s side was determined to regain momentum. Villa, too, was desperate for points, hovering just four points clear of relegation, making this clash all the more pivotal.
The match began with Villa creating the first significant opportunity. Ebony Salmon latched onto the ball and sprinted down the pitch, only to be thwarted by City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, who presented the performance of the match with her remarkable save. "It was pivotal, and we started to grow from there," City manager Gareth Taylor said after the game.
After both teams struggled to break the deadlock during the first half, it was City who finally found the breakthrough just eight minutes after the second half began. Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw exhibited her calm finish after receiving a perfectly weighted through ball from Mary Fowler, allowing her to roll the ball past Villa’s keeper, Sabrina D’Angelo. This marked Shaw's 19th goal of the season across all competitions.
With the score now 1-0, City maintained pressure on the Villa defense. The team, buoyed by their opening goal, stepped up their play, showcasing creativity and vigor. Villa attempted to respond, bringing on star players like Rachel Daly and Jordan Nobbs, but struggled to make significant threats against City’s solid defense.
Later, with the clock winding down, City sealed the victory with another goal, this time from Jess Park. She found herself unmarked after some relentless attacking from the City side. With Vivianne Miedema's assist helping to set her up, Park fired home with precision to double the lead, ensuring City's safe passage to the next round.
While City's attacking prowess was evident, the match was not without its moments of intensity, especially during the introduction of substitutes from both teams, which saw several tactical shifts. The players took to the pitch wearing black armbands, paying tribute to Poppy Atkinson, a 10-year-old girl who tragically lost her life during training earlier this week. Both sets of players participated in a minute’s applause, creating a somber atmosphere among the competition.
Following the match, head coach Gareth Taylor expressed pride at his team's ability to shake off league frustrations and play with focus and clarity when it mattered. "We showed resilience and found our attacking rhythm, which needs to continue as we head toward the semi-finals and beyond," he stated.
Manchester City’s win on March 9 marks their first progression to the FA Cup semi-finals since 2022, following previous cup runs where they fell short. With players like Shaw and Park delivering exceptional performances, the team looks forward to challenging for the cup trophy as they prepare for their next match against Chelsea on March 15, for the Subway Women’s League Cup final.
On the other hand, Aston Villa is left to refocus on the WSL, needing to carve out results to secure their status for the following season. With just four points separating them from the relegation zone, the pressure is mounting. Manager Natalia Arroyo will have to inspire her team to dig deep and secure points as they aim to preserve their position within the league.
The semi-final draw for the Women’s FA Cup will take place following all quarter-final games, resulting in other fixtures such as Arsenal against Liverpool and Chelsea facing Crystal Palace.
Netting two goals without reply, City fans left Joie Stadium with high hopes for the upcoming matches, their joy palpable as the team demonstrated not only skill but also comprised teamwork, patience, and perseverance on the field.