2024–25 Aston Villa W.F.C. season

Aston Villa
2024–25 season
Head coachRobert de Pauw (until 11 December)
Shaun Goater (interim, 11 December – 22 January)
Natalia Arroyo (from 22 January)
StadiumVilla Park, Aston
(league matches)
Bescot Stadium, Walsall
(cup matches)
WSL6th
FA CupQuarter-finals
League CupGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Rachel Daly (8)
All: Rachel Daly (13)
Highest home attendance5,038
(vs. Manchester United, 23 March 2025)
Lowest home attendance2,494
(vs. West Ham United, 15 December 2024)
Average home league attendance3,413
Biggest win9–0 v Bristol Rovers (H)
(FA Cup, 12 January 2025)
Biggest defeat0–4 v Arsenal (A)
(WSL, 9 December 2024)
0–4 v Manchester United (H)
(WSL, 23 March 2025)

The 2024–25 Aston Villa W.F.C. season was the club's 29th season under their Aston Villa affiliation, the organisation's 51st overall season in existence, and their fifth season in the Women's Super League, the highest level of the football pyramid. Along with competing in the WSL, the club also contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Following Carla Ward's departure at the end of the previous season,[1] Aston Villa appointed Robert de Pauw as their new manager on 29 June 2024.[2] He had most recently been manager of Bayer Leverkusen before agreeing to mutually part ways in May 2024.[3] On 11 December 2024, it was announced that de Pauw had left the club with immediate effect after 11 games in charge. Assistant first team coach Shaun Goater was named interim manager.[4] On 22 January 2025, Natalia Arroyo was announced as the new permanent manager. She last coached Real Sociedad, ending her four-year managerial tenure at the conclusion of the previous season.[5]

On 19 July 2024, the club announced that all WSL home matches would be played at Villa Park. Bescot Stadium continued to host cup matches.[6]

Squad

As of 23 March 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  CAN Sabrina D'Angelo
2 DF  ENG Sarah Mayling
3 DF  ESP Paula Tomás
4 DF  IRL Anna Patten
5 MF  ENG Lucy Staniforth
6 DF  SCO Rachel Corsie (captain)
7 MF  ENG Missy Bo Kearns
8 MF  ENG Jordan Nobbs
9 FW  ENG Rachel Daly
11 FW  ENG Katie Robinson
14 DF  ENG Danielle Turner
15 DF  ENG Lucy Parker
16 DF  SUI Noelle Maritz
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW  ENG Ebony Salmon
20 FW  SCO Kirsty Hanson
22 MF  NED Jill Baijings (on loan from Bayern Munich)
23 FW  NED Chasity Grant
25 MF  ENG Miri Taylor
28 FW  BRA Gabi Nunes
30 GK  USA Katelin Talbert (on loan from West Ham United)
33 DF  ENG Maz Pacheco
36 FW  ENG Ruby-Rae Tucker
37 DF  ENG Lydia Sallaway
38 DF  ENG Rachel Maltby
39 FW  ENG Mia Sorrentino
40 GK  WAL Soffia Kelly

Transfers

Transfers in

Date Position Nationality Name From Ref.
10 July 2024 DF Paula Tomás Levante [7]
15 July 2024 FW Katie Robinson Brighton & Hove Albion [8]
23 July 2024 MF Miri Taylor Liverpool [9]
31 July 2024 GK Sabrina D'Angelo Arsenal [10]
1 August 2024 MF Missy Bo Kearns Liverpool [11]
8 August 2024 FW Chasity Grant Ajax [12]
13 September 2024 FW Gabi Nunes Levante [13]

Loans in

Date Position Nationality Name From Until Ref.
5 July 2024 MF Jill Baijings Bayern Munich End of season [14]
24 January 2025 GK Katelin Talbert West Ham United End of season [15]

Transfers out

Date Position Nationality Name To Ref.
4 June 2024 MF Olivia McLoughlin Rangers [16][17]
19 June 2024 FW Simone Magill Birmingham City [18][19]
5 July 2024 MF Meg Shaw Rugby Borough [20]
6 July 2024 FW Alisha Lehmann Juventus [21]
30 July 2024 GK Anna Draper Milton Keynes Dons [22]
31 July 2024 GK Daphne van Domselaar Arsenal [23]
7 August 2024 MF Alice Keitley Nottingham Forest [24]
18 August 2024 DF Martha MacPhail Wolverhampton Wanderers [25]
12 January 2025 GK Anna Leat [26]
20 January 2025 FW Freya Gregory Newcastle United [27]
24 January 2025 MF Kenza Dali San Diego Wave [28]
24 February 2025 FW Adriana Leon San Diego Wave [29]

Loans out

Date Position Nationality Name To Until Ref.
5 July 2024 FW Freya Gregory Southampton 15 January 2025 [30][31]
23 January 2025 MF Georgia Mullett Southampton End of season [32]
28 January 2025 GK Sophia Poor London City Lionesses End of season [33]

Preseason

17 August 2024 Friendly Liverpool 0–1 Aston Villa West Derby
Report
  • Salmon
Stadium: Melwood
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
23 August 2024 Friendly Real Betis 0–1 Aston Villa Marbella, Spain
Report
Stadium: Marbella Football Cente
1 September 2024 Friendly Charlton Athletic 2–2 Aston Villa Charlton
Report
Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 575
8 September 2024 Friendly Everton 1–3 Aston Villa Walton
Report
Stadium: Walton Hall Park
14 September 2024 Friendly Aston Villa 2–1 Manchester City Bodymoor Heath
Report
Stadium: Bodymoor Heath
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Women's Super League

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
22 7 4 11 32 44  −12 25 4 2 5 19 21  −2 3 2 6 13 23  −10

Last updated: 10 May 2025.
Source: WSL

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
GroundAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAH
ResultLDLDLLDWLWDLLLLLLWWWWW
Position98991010118978910111111111111996
Source:
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

20 September 2024 1 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Kingston upon Thames
19:00
Report Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 4,337
Referee: Kirsty Dowle
29 September 2024 2 Aston Villa 2–2 Tottenham Hotspur Aston
16:30
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 2,912
Referee: Lauren Impey
5 October 2024 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 4–2 Aston Villa Crawley
12:30
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 2,152
Referee: Ryan Atkin
13 October 2024 4 Aston Villa 0–0 Leicester City Aston
14:00
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 2,907
Referee: Amy Fearn
20 October 2024 5 Manchester City 2–1 Aston Villa Manchester
12:15
Report
Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: 3,528
Referee: Kirsty Dowle
3 November 2024 6 Aston Villa 1–2 Liverpool Aston
16:30
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 3,213
Referee: Phoebe Cross
10 November 2024 7 Manchester United 0–0 Aston Villa Leigh
18:45
Report
Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Attendance: 3,833
Referee: Cheryl Foster
17 November 2024 8 Aston Villa 3–2 Crystal Palace Aston
14:00
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 2,673
Referee: Grace Lowe
8 December 2024 9 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Holloway
14:00
Report
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 29,515
Referee: Abigail Byrne
15 December 2024 10 Aston Villa 3–1 West Ham United Aston
14:00
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 2,494
Referee: Grace Lowe
18 January 2025 11 Everton 1–1 Aston Villa Walton
17:30
Report
Stadium: Walton Hall Park
Attendance: 973
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
25 January 2025 12 Aston Villa 2–4 Manchester City Aston
12:00
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 3,041
Referee: Melissa Burgin
2 February 2025 13 Aston Villa 0–1 Chelsea Aston
14:30
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 4,324
Referee: Lisa Benn
16 February 2025 14 Leicester City 3–0 Aston Villa Leicester
15:00
Report
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 2,065
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
2 March 2025 15 Aston Villa 0–2 Everton Aston
14:00
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 2,936
Referee: Stacey Pearson
16 March 2025 16 Crystal Palace 3–1 Aston Villa Sutton
14:00
Report
Stadium: Gander Green Lane
Attendance: 1,130
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
23 March 2025 17 Aston Villa 0–4 Manchester United Aston
16:30
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 5,038
Referee: Emily Heaslip
30 March 2025 18 Liverpool 1–2 Aston Villa St Helens
14:00
Report
Stadium: Totally Wicked Stadium
Attendance: 3,082
Referee: Megan Wilson
20 April 2025 19 Tottenham Hotspur 2–3 Aston Villa Leyton
14:00
Report
Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 1,624
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
30 April 2025 20 Aston Villa 5–2 Arsenal Aston
18:00
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 4,590
Referee: Grace Lowe
4 May 2025 21 West Ham United 2–3 Aston Villa Dagenham
15:00
Report
Stadium: Victoria Road
Referee: Stacey Pearson
10 May 2025 22 Aston Villa 3–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Aston
12:30
Report
Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 3,492
Referee: Lisa Benn

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
4 Manchester City 22 13 4 5 49 28 +21 43
5 Brighton & Hove Albion 22 8 4 10 35 41 −6 28
6 Aston Villa 22 7 4 11 32 44 −12 25
7 Liverpool 22 7 4 11 22 37 −15 25
8 Everton 22 6 6 10 24 32 −8 24
Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.

Women's FA Cup

As a member of the first tier, Aston Villa entered the FA Cup in the fourth round proper.

12 January 2025 Fourth round Aston Villa 9–0 Bristol Rovers Walsall
17:45
Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 972
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
8 February 2025 Fifth round Aston Villa 3–2 Brighton & Hove Albion Walsall
12:00
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 821
Referee: Melissa Burgin
9 March 2025 Quarter-final Manchester City 2–0 Aston Villa Manchester
12:30
Report Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: 2,086
Referee: Abigail Byrne

Women's League Cup

2 October 2024 Group stage Aston Villa 2–0 Crystal Palace Walsall
19:15
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 422
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
23 November 2024 Group stage Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 Aston Villa Leyton
12:15
Report Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 820
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
11 December 2024 Group stage Aston Villa 4–1 Charlton Athletic Walsall
19:15
Report
  • Newsham 10',  90+3'
  • Barton  55'
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 659
Referee: Stacey Fullicks

Pos Team Pld W WPEN LPEN L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Tottenham Hotspur 3 3 0 0 0 5 1 +4 9 Advanced to knock-out stage
2 Aston Villa 3 2 0 0 1 6 2 +4 6
3 Crystal Palace 3 1 0 0 2 2 4 −2 3
4 Charlton Athletic 3 0 0 0 3 2 8 −6 0
Updated to match(es) played on 23 November 2024. Source: Women's League Cup
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record

Squad statistics

Appearances

As of match played 10 May 2025

Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.

No. Pos Nat Player Total WSL FA Cup League Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK  CAN Sabrina D'Angelo 28 0 22 0 3 0 3 0
2 DF  ENG Sarah Mayling 17 0 7+6 0 3 0 1 0
3 DF  ESP Paula Tomás 17 1 9+4 0 2 1 1+1 0
4 DF  IRL Anna Patten 27 2 21 2 3 0 3 0
5 MF  ENG Lucy Staniforth 14 0 7+5 0 0 0 2 0
6 DF  SCO Rachel Corsie 2 0 0+2 0 0 0 0 0
7 MF  ENG Missy Bo Kearns 18 0 12+2 0 0+2 0 1+1 0
8 MF  ENG Jordan Nobbs 24 1 18+2 1 2+1 0 0+1 0
9 FW  ENG Rachel Daly 28 13 22 8 2+1 3 1+2 2
11 FW  ENG Katie Robinson 21 1 5+11 0 1+1 0 3 1
14 DF  ENG Danielle Turner 21 0 13+3 0 1+1 0 3 0
15 DF  ENG Lucy Parker 19 1 14+2 1 2 0 0+1 0
16 DF  SUI Noelle Maritz 23 0 16+2 0 1+2 0 2 0
17 FW  ENG Ebony Salmon 27 6 12+9 4 2+1 0 3 2
20 FW  SCO Kirsty Hanson 23 5 13+5 3 1+2 1 0+2 1
22 MF  NED Jill Baijings 15 1 8+4 0 2+1 1 0 0
23 FW  NED Chasity Grant 25 6 17+4 4 2+1 2 0+1 0
25 MF  ENG Miri Taylor 23 0 6+11 0 2+1 0 3 0
28 FW  BRA Gabi Nunes 21 5 9+6 2 3 3 2+1 0
30 GK  USA Katelin Talbert 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
33 DF  ENG Maz Pacheco 12 1 6+3 1 0 0 2+1 0
36 FW  ENG Ruby-Rae Tucker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
37 DF  ENG Lydia Sallaway 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
38 DF  ENG Rachel Maltby 2 0 0+2 0 0 0 0 0
39 FW  ENG Mia Sorrentino 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
40 GK  WAL Soffia Kelly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Players away from the club on loan:
18 MF  ENG Georgia Mullett 1 0 0 0 0 0 0+1 0
35 GK  ENG Sophia Poor 1 0 0 0 0+1 0 0 0
Players who appeared for the club but left during the season:
10 MF  FRA Kenza Dali 13 1 4+6 1 0 0 1+2 0
19 FW  CAN Adriana Leon 15 3 4+7 3 1 0 2+1 0

References

  1. ^ "Carla Ward: Aston Villa boss to leave at end of season". BBC Sport. 3 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Robert de Pauw appointed new Women's manager". Aston Villa Football Club. 29 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Departing Women's coach Robert de Pauw: "The foundation has been laid"". Bayer 04 Leverkusen. 28 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Club Statement". Aston Villa Football Club. 11 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Natalia Arroyo appointed new Women's Head Coach". Aston Villa Football Club. 22 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Villa Park to be main stadium for Villa Women". Aston Villa Football Club. 19 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Villa Women confirm Tomás signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 10 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Villa Women confirm Robinson signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 15 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Taylor joins Villa Women". Aston Villa Football Club. 23 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Villa Women announce D'Angelo arrival". Aston Villa Football Club. 31 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Aston Villa Women confirm Missy Bo Kearns signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 1 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Villa Women confirm Grant signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 8 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Villa Women confirm Nunes signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 13 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Villa Women confirm Baijings signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 5 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Katelin Talbert joins on loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 24 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Olivia McLoughlin to depart Villa". Aston Villa Football Club. 4 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Rangers Confirm Signing Of Olivia McLoughlin". www.rangers.co.uk. 4 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Simone Magill to depart Villa Women". Aston Villa Football Club. 19 June 2024.
  19. ^ "Blues Women sign Simone Magill". Birmingham City Football Club.
  20. ^ "Meg Shaw joins Rugby". Rugby Borough Instagram. 5 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Alisha Lehmann departs". Aston Villa Football Club. 6 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Goalkeeper Anna Draper joins MK Dons Women". www.mkdons.com. 30 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Van Domselaar makes Arsenal move". Aston Villa Football Club. 31 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Forest Women complete Alice Keitley signing". Nottingham Forest Football Club. 7 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Wolves Women complete triple signing". Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. 18 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Anna Leat departs". Aston Villa Football Club. 12 January 2025.
  27. ^ "Freya Gregory makes Newcastle move". Aston Villa Football Club. 20 January 2025.
  28. ^ "Kenza Dali departs for San Diego Wave". Aston Villa Football Club. 24 January 2025.
  29. ^ "Adriana Leon departs". Aston Villa Football Club. 24 February 2025.
  30. ^ "Gregory departs on loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 5 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Freya Gregory recalled from loan spell". Aston Villa Football Club. 15 January 2025.
  32. ^ "Georgia Mullett heads out on loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 23 January 2025.
  33. ^ "Sophia Poor heads out on loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 28 January 2025.