A hat-trick from Rachel Daly saw Aston Villa come from behind to beat Reading in the Women’s Super League.

Reading’s afternoon went from bad to worse in the second half as goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns was sent off for a foul on Kirsty Hanson.

Daly sealed her excellent performance after beating substitute keeper Grace Moloney from the penalty spot.

The result sees Aston Villa sit fifth in the WSL with 12 points. Reading is in second place with three.

Daly is firing on all cylinders for Villa

England international Daly, who joined Aston Villa this summer from the Houston Dash, has already scored eight goals for a club that scored just 13 goals last season.

The versatile player, who was used as a full-back by Sarina Wiegman for England, is now top of the WSL goalscoring charts alongside Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw.

Villa boss Carla Ward claimed earlier in the season that “she’s not a defender, she’s a centre-forward”, and Daly’s latest goals continue to add to her case.

Wade’s opener gave the visitors hope, but their aspirations for a second win of the season were crushed by Daly at half-time.

She met a well-guided cross from Rachel Corsie to score her first goal of the match, before converting Kenza Dali’s corner, although the ball deflected off Royals defender Natasha Dowie on the entrance.

Burns’ sacking saw Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Moloney appear in a Royals shirt for the first time since September.

She was beaten from the spot by Daly just minutes after coming on after Gemma Evans fouled the Villa striker inside the box.

And the Villa striker nearly scored minutes later when she had the ball in the back of the net again, but was ruled offside.