OXFORD United Women lost 6-0 at Aston Villa in their latest run-out of pre-season.

The Women’s Super League outfit cruised to victory at their Bodymoor Heath training ground to hand the U’s their first defeat of the summer.

Villa had not played since May, but they were always going to be a tough opponent after finishing ninth in the top flight last season.

READ MORE: Karl Robinson's plan for Oxford United's goalkeepers

United, meanwhile, upped their preparations after playing Stoke City and Selsey in two 45-minute games the previous weekend.

The friendly was split into three thirds of half an hour each and Villa were home and dry before the second interval.

Evie Rabjohn volleyed the hosts in front after ten minutes, before Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Mary McAteer increased the lead.

Maz Pacheco and Tash Harding then scored Villa’s fourth and fifth goals in the closing stages of the middle third.

United held their opponents at bay for most of the final half an hour but they could not stop Oliva Rabjohn making it six in stoppage-time.

Manager Liam Gilbert told the club's official website: “It was a really good challenge and a good workout for the group.

“There were some really great moments and obviously there are some things that we still need to work on.

“We need to improve our general fitness and understanding, but I think that will come over the next four weeks until the season starts.

“It’s only our second pre-season game and we have a few new faces in so it will take time to develop and that’s just a time thing, it’s not anything that we can force.”

The U’s start their FA Women’s National League Southern Premier season at home to Bridgwater United on August 21.