TWO goals from winger Dani Bird helped Birmingham City Ladies to a 4-1 victory over rivals Aston Villa in the League Cup.

But they were stunned into action after conceding a goal inside the opening 14 minutes.

The Premier Division side showed their class though with Katy Ward and Bird swinging the game in the visitors' favour before half-time.

Captain Laura Bassett headed home a third in the 49th minute and Bird added the fourth midway through the second half with Ward and Bird also rattling the woodwork for good measure.

The Blues welcome Everton to the Valley Stadium on Sunday (ko 2pm) but will be without strikers Maz Gauntlett and Crissy Torkildsen while right-back Faye Cardin is recovering from a broken wrist.

Chelsea Weston will be back from England u19s duty and right winger Milly Durrant should be clear of a chest infection while manager Laura Harvey is hoping striker Maz Ballard and midfielder Sally Lacey - who both missed the League Cup win - will also be available.

Headless Cross Ladies travelled to Knowle but had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw despite dominating the proceedings.

From the start Cross were on top with Mandy Ellicott forcing two good saves while Kirstie Robins shot inches wide.

Player of the Match Ann Marie Reddish twice put efforts over the bar before her corner was headed home by Helen Taylor as the visitors took the lead.

Cross began the second half in control but were again denied by a number of good saves.

With ten minutes left, Knowle struck an equaliser from a free-kick and would have claimed the win had it not been for an excellent save by Laura Randall in Cross' goal.

Cross take on Worcester City at the Beehive on Sunday.