A high-profile meeting for Maria Farrugia as her Sunderland Ladies side crossed swords with Aston Villa in their third fixture from their Women’s League Cup group phase, on Sunday afternoon.
Aston Villa emerged winners 7-0 with Switzerland international Alishia Lehmann grabbing a brace.
Malta women’s international Maria Farrugia was deployed from the start after returning from her national team duties during the past two weeks.
Sunderland are currently playing in the FA Women’s Championship whereas Aston Villa are one of the 12 teams playing in England’s top-tier, the FA Women’s Super League.
The Women’s League Cup, also known as the Continental Cup for sponsor reasons, pits teams from England’s top two tiers with Sunderland Ladies involved from the first round which is a group phase.
In their group, Sunderland were drawn with fellow Championship sides Liverpool, Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers, alongside Aston Villa.
Despite this defeat, Sunderland remain in a good position to secure a quarter-final berth. They meet Liverpool in their final group game on December 15.
