Williams grabbed the second-half winner

Sunderland Ladies continued their winning start to the season with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Aston Villa.

Substitute Sophie Williams grabbed the crucial third goal to seal the win against hotly-tipped hosts despite Natasha Merritt's late consolation.

The Wearsiders took a first-half lead through Sarah Danby but Kelly Saggs levelled scores after the break.

However Nicola Devine added a second before Williams' strike sealed the win to take Sunderland second in the table.

"We knew we were in for a hard game but it was made all the more difficult following a tiring journey on a cramped bus," manager Mick Mulhern said after the game.

It wasn't pretty to watch but they stuck to their task well and got the result they deserved Sunderland manager Mick Mulhern

"They never let us settle into our passing game as they tried to crowd us out.

"But the girls showed a lot of character under difficult circumstances. It wasn't pretty to watch but they stuck to their task well and got the result they deserved."

The win moves Sunderland to within a point of Lincoln but with two games in hand.