Guardian writers' predicted place: sixth (NB: this isn't essentially Sophie Downey's prediction however the common of our writers' ideas)
Final season's place: sixth
Prospects
Aston Villa shall be aiming for a smoother Girls's Tremendous League season, having spent a lot of the 2024-25 marketing campaign flirting with relegation. There have been sturdy indicators, nevertheless, that the membership had put the issues of Robert de Pauw's tenure behind them with a snug sixth-place end. An attention grabbing last run noticed them unbeaten in 5 video games, scoring 16 within the course of, together with 5 in opposition to Arsenal.
The 4 months underneath De Pauw had proved an unmitigated catastrophe and left Natalia Arroyo with a mountain to climb when she joined the membership in January. As soon as security had been secured, the Spaniard's teaching ideas began to shine and the workforce visibly grew in confidence. However with an ageing squad, there was at all times going to be some turnover and the departures of Jordan Nobbs, Danielle Turner and Rachel Corsie level to this reality. It was vital for Arroyo to take care of a powerful backbone and Rachel Daly's contract extension factors to how valued her management and expertise stays, whereas managing to maintain Anna Patten, Kirsty Hanson and Lucy Parker signifies that Villa stays enticing for high-quality internationals.
Arroyo has injected youth into her squad over the summer season with the signings of Ellie Roebuck (25), Lynn Wilms (24), Océane Deslandes (25) and England Underneath-23 worldwide Lucia Kendall, whereas bringing in Jill Baijings completely from Bayern Munich was a notable coup. The Netherlands midfielder made a big influence on mortgage final season, carrying the captain's armband within the absence of Daly on a number of events.
Villa have been constructing momentum in pre-season. A 2-0 defeat at Manchester United was adopted by a 5-1 win over Liverpool and a powerful 1-1 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain. With a last friendy to return in opposition to Union Berlin, Arroyo's aspect need to be in sturdy form for theiropening match away at Brighton.
The supervisor
Arroyo was most likely not on many individuals's radars when she signed a three-and-a-half 12 months deal in January, however the 39-year-old has already proved to be one among Europe's most promising coaches. After being pressured to retire from enjoying by means of harm, Arroyo started her administration profession with Catalonia earlier than becoming a member of Actual Sociedad in 2020. Her four-year tenure on the membership noticed them end runners-up in Liga F within the 2021-22 season. Arroyo likes her groups to be aggressive within the press and direct going ahead, utilizing the tempo and vitality of the likes of Hanson, Chasity Grant and Ebony Salmon to interrupt defensive strains.
Off-field image
Aston Villa turned the newest membership to dump their ladies's workforce to assist them keep away from any breaches of the Premier League's profitability and sustainability laws. The deal noticed a 90% stake within the ladies's aspect offered to Villa's dad or mum firm V Sports activities, which was based by homeowners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris. A ten% stake was offered to exterior American buyers. It follows Chelsea's choice to do related final 12 months when the ladies's arm of the membership was offered to BlueCo for round £200m.
Star signing
Lynn Wilms turned the membership's first marquee signing of the summer season, arriving after 4 seasons at Wolfsburg. The versatile Netherlands worldwide can play at centre-back and right-back and brings loads of Champions League expertise. Throughout her time in Germany, the 24-year-old made greater than 100 appearances in all competitions for Wolfsburg, lifting the Frauen-Bundesliga title in 2021-2022 and choosing up a Champions League runners-up medal in 2023. Wilms made her debut for the Netherlands at 18 and has featured in 4 main tournaments, together with Euro 2025.
Stepping up
Rachel Maltby is likely one of the most promising younger gamers to have emerged from Aston Villa's academy lately, and it has been an thrilling 12 months for the 18-year-old defender. After ending fourth with England on the under-17 World Cup final 12 months, she signed her first skilled cope with the membership in March. Maltby proceeded to make her WSL debut at Villa Park of their 5-2 victory over Arsenal, approaching as a second-half substitute for Maz Pacheco. A dynamic participant, she will play at full-back and wing-back on both aspect of the pitch and possesses loads of attacking qualities.
It was an excellent summer season for …
Noelle Maritz was an integral a part of Switzerland's historic run at this summer season's European Championship. Ever-present on the coronary heart of Pia Sundhage's defence, she helped the hosts attain the quarter-finals. Switzerland have been defeated by Spain however there isn't any doubt the influence Maritz and her teammates had on a nation. From fan marches lining the cities of Switzerland to the vociferous assist contained in the stadiums, it can have been an expertise Martiz will keep in mind for ever.
Primary initiative to draw extra followers
The clubmoved all their house video games to Villa Park final season and they are going to be trying to construct on that, in addition to the matchday expertise, this 12 months. Villa have been working laborious to show every fixture into an occasion with pre-match leisure for all ages, together with stay music, foot pool, selfie pods and prize draw alternatives at each house sport. There are additionally group-booking initiatives in place for grassroot golf equipment and training institutions.
