NewsGareth Taylor column: Villa win, inspirational Fisk and Chelsea test

I was really pleased with the players against Aston Villa and we deserved that victory.

Before the game, I thought the vibes were really good and we went into the game confident. I just had a good feeling.

Our supporters were right behind us - as always - and drove us on and we managed to get two early goals, which was really pleasing.

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I thought Alejandra Bernabe and Ceri Holland down the left side in particular combined really well, and Mia Enderby and Martha Thomas did what they do best.

It gave us a good platform, but then we had a little bit of a flat spot just before half-time when they got a goal back.

I thought the first half was really good from us and the second half was a bit more balanced, but what this game showed us is when we play with courage we can be very difficult to play against.

Sometimes we do lose that courage at times, but I can completely understand that slight anxiety when you are ahead in the game and holding on to a certain degree. I think it's at those moments when we show some courage we do some really good things.

When we put long balls up for fights, it can be really difficult then to get control and guarantee we will be able to get up the pitch together and our final goal was a case in point.

Gemma Bonner played a great ball up to Aurélie Csillag and that was a great finish and it was really good for her confidence level.

I asked the players to be brave and play and we created spaces by pulling them out and that was really pleasing.

Our captain Grace Fisk scored a great goal and she is a really important player for us. Having Fisky back now after her injury is really key and she is a really good leader.

She matched the pace of Chasity Grant in the second half of the game, which is no mean feat because she is a very pacey player.

Fisky led and played very well and it's also great to see how much of a threat we are now from set-plays and we are dangerous from them.

On Sunday we head to Chelsea and we know the challenge when we play them is always really tough.

They have had a couple of difficult moments but have bounced back really well and are still a top, top team.

We know about the contrast we had in performances with the two games at St Helens against them this season.

I think it's really hard to compare those performances and those teams we had out to the team we have now.

The new signings have made a big difference for us and they have also improved the training levels.

The Villa game was a big example of that. We brought off the bench Gemma with her experience and her quality, along with Aurélie and Alice Bergstrom - previously we just didn't have the opportunity to make those changes.

I just think it's really good for us now since players have come in that we are able to make changes when legs are tiring and it gives us better options, hence why we are getting the results now.

It is an honour to get the WSL Manager of the Month for January but for me it is a team effort.

It's important everyone, the staff and players, gets a pat on the back for the work that goes in.

Yes, I stand in front of it in the good moments and also the difficult times, but it's so important to have players functioning on the pitch and the staff behind it as well.

So, all the credit goes to them because they are the important ones, but it's nice we are getting a bit of recognition so early on in the new year and it gives us a good foundation to build on and push forward.

Thank you for your continued support.

YNWA,

Gareth

Gareth Taylor was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com's Steve Hunter