Manchester United seized victory in the final minute after super-substitute Millie Turner expertly headed Katie Zelem's curling freekick into the back of Aston Villa's goal to win 3-2 at Bescot Stadium.
United shored up their hold at the top of the WSL table on a weekend despite a feisty showing from Villa.
Villa's Rachel Daly was a post's distance from a perfect hat-trick after but had to be content with her two first-half goals.
Leah Galton provided United's first response just six minutes, and Nikita Parris saved thought she'd saved the side a point with her header just past the hour mark.