The full fixture list for the 2026/27 Women's Super League season has been published, with Aston Villa Women set to begin their campaign away at Chelsea on Saturday, September 5. The match will be played at Stamford Bridge, as reported by Sky Sports, marking a challenging start for a Villa side looking to improve on last season's ninth-place finish.
That final 2025 standing saw Villa accumulate 20 points from 22 games, with a record of five wins, five draws, and twelve losses. Their goal difference of -20, stemming from 28 goals scored and 48 conceded, highlights an area for development. The team ended the campaign 35 points behind the champions, Manchester City W, and will be aiming to close that gap starting with this tough opening assignment.
What are Aston Villa Women's opening fixtures?
Following the trip to Chelsea, Aston Villa Women face a significant early test against Manchester City on Sunday, September 13, with a 6.30pm kick-off. Their first home game of the new season will be against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, September 20, starting at 2pm. The month concludes with another away fixture, this time at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, September 27, also with a 2pm start.
This initial run provides a clear benchmark for Villa's progress. Fans can track the team's schedule and plan their support via the club's official fixtures page, which will be updated throughout the season.
How has the WSL changed for 2026/27?
The upcoming season introduces a major structural shift, with the Women's Super League expanding from 12 to 14 teams. The three promoted sides are Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, and Charlton Athletic, who all secured their places by finishing at the top of WSL 2. This expansion increases the competition and adds new local rivalries to the calendar.
Relegation remains a key feature, with the team finishing last in the WSL automatically dropping down. The club that ends the season in 13th place will enter a play-off against the runners-up from WSL 2, scheduled for May 29/30. The regular season is set to conclude on the weekend of May 22/23, with a winter break planned from December 21 to January 3.
Where can fans watch the matches?
Broadcast coverage of the league is set for another extensive season. Sky Sports and its streaming service NOW will show 163 WSL matches live, which represents around 90 per cent of all fixtures. Selected games will also be available for free on the Sky Sports WSL YouTube channel. This commitment is part of a wider offering from Sky Sports, which plans to broadcast over 1,500 live matches across the Premier League, EFL, Women's Super League, and Scottish Premiership during the 2026/27 season, including 215 exclusively live Premier League games.
The increased visibility is a boost for all clubs, including Aston Villa Women, as they aim to grow their fanbase. Supporters can also follow detailed player contributions and team statistics on the club's stats hub.
What does the season hold for Aston Villa?
Aston Villa Women will be targeting a more consistent campaign after a difficult 2025 season that featured a recent form line of four losses and one win in the final five games. The opening match at Stamford Bridge is a formidable challenge but offers an immediate opportunity to set a new tone. The expanded league means more games and fresh tactical puzzles to solve.
The club's squad composition and how they adapt to the new league format will be critical. For the latest on player availability and team news throughout the season, the injuries page provides official updates. The season begins in earnest for the whole league on Friday, September 4, when London City Lionesses host Manchester United. London City made headlines this summer by signing two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, a major statement of intent. Manchester City then host newly-promoted Birmingham City on Sunday, September 6. Aston Villa Women's journey starts the day before at Chelsea.
