Following Manchester City’s 8-0 win over Aston Villa in the First Round of the Continental Tyres Cup Nick Cushing was delighted with his team’s performance:

“I think were more pleased the performances have come back to where we were at the start of the season. We performed technically and tactically today. We were exceptional today which is what we’ve lacked in the last two games.”

Asked about the early goal; “When a team’s plan is to sit and try to hold you, when you score it kind of kills the game plan and it made the game it a lot easier for us. There were a lot of excellent individual performances but the team performance pleased me the most.”

“In the last two games against Liverpool we didn’t play too well but still created a lot of chances. To finish them off so to put that right today and score eight, we’re really pleased with that.”

“It’s great to get Keira Walsh back on the pitch after the long lay-off. She’s a very good footballer, very intelligent and it’s good to see her play again.  Tessell got a good game, a start and a goal.”

When asked about Nikita Parris’s performance; “Keets probably feels a little disappointed that she never started in the last game. I probably should have started her because she played well. She came on and impacted that game so we started her today and she did today what she does, she causes real problems for defences and scores goals. I thought she was exceptional and our best player today.”

When speaking to hat-trick hero Nikita Parris herself. The England international was in buoyant mood about her team’s performance after the game; “I want to contribute to goals and assists but mainly we’ve got the performance and the win we needed.”

“[We are] Back to winning ways, there’s no better feeling, the team are on a high, now hopefully we’ll push on, there is a bit of a gap but hopefully we’ll train hard and we’ll get prepared [for the next game].”

When asked about the draw she responded; “I feel like any team we get, we should dominate and we should beat. Any team will do.”

On which of her goals was her favourite; “It was my first hat-trick for City so I’m proud of that so hopefully there’s many more to come.”

Making her first start in a Manchester City shirt since her winter move from the US; Megan Campbell said; “It’s nice to be back on the field again with the girls, an 8-0 win against a side that we knew were going to put it up to us. It’s nice to get back to winning ways.”

When asked about why she hadn’t used her long throw she added; “It’s not something we look to rely on. If it comes to an end of the game where you can look to put teams under pressure then we’ll use it but it’s not who we play football.”

Finally she was asked about which of City’s goals was her favourite: “Dahpne’s is the winner outright.  A great touch and a great finish.”

City’s next fixture is away to Notts County at Meadow Lane on Sunday 24^th July, 2pm KO.