Aston Villa have made a promising start to the season and fielded a strong squad against United with star players Rachel Daly, Kenza Dali and Alesha Lehmann all on the starting sheet.
It was also Villa who had the first chance of the match, as Maria Thorisdottir gave the ball away in a dangerous zone and the resulting shot rattled the woodwork.
However, it was United who made the breakthrough in the 15th minute when Nikita Parris unleashed a rocket shot from 20 yards out and found the top corner.
However, Villa was desperate for an equalizer and was still in the game when they attacked down the right. His cross was received by a Villa player but he headed it over the crossbar.
It was a close match as United again had a first chance from open play, but the shot was deflected wide for a corner. From that set piece, Adriana León snorted a goal but her shot went wide.
Moments later, Boe Risa got up to receive a cross from Leon, but his header only found the goalie’s gloves.
Villa came out struggling in the second half and a tense stretch of the game saw Villa head wide and Baggaley had work to do to discourage Rachel Daly enough that her shot also went wide.
Baggaley was rising to the challenge so far after not starting a competitive game for the club in several months and made a brilliant save to keep the score at 1-0. But it was only a matter of time before Villa returned it in the 72nd minute.
They almost took the lead when the Reds hit a shot off the line in the 86th minute.
Although Skinner brought Toone in at the end, it was too late and the game ended in a penalty shootout.
Despite Baggaley saving three, it was Villa who claimed victory by scoring four against United’s three.
A disappointing start for United in the cup.
Team: Baggaley, Batlle, Thorisdottir, Moore (Garcia 64), Boe Risa, Thomas, Le Tissier, Leon (Ladd 64), Tounkara (Blundell 64), Parris (Toone 83), Staniforth (Zelem 45) 
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