Aston Villa Women begin their Subway Players Cup campaign at home to Newcastle United Women at Keys Park on Wednesday, 30 September. Kick-off is set for 7.30pm BST at the Hednesford venue, offering a chance to reset after a tough run in the Women's Super League.
Natalia Arroyo's side sit 13th in the WSL with just two points from four games, their most recent outing a 4-0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. That result followed a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest, but also heavy losses to Manchester City and draws with Brighton and Chelsea. The team has conceded ten goals in the league so far.
Recent league struggles
Aston Villa Women's form has been inconsistent, with one win, two draws and two losses in their last five WSL matches. The heavy defeat at Tottenham, where Victoria Pelova scored twice, highlighted defensive issues the manager will want to address quickly. You can review the full standings to see how the table looks ahead of the next league game.
Team lineup and manager
Manager Natalia Arroyo used a 4-2-3-1 formation against Tottenham, with Akane Okuma in goal and Chasity Grant leading the attack. The starting lineup also included Lucy Parker, Maz Pacheco and Anna Patten in defence, with Melisa Hijikata and Adriana Leon in advanced roles. The cup fixture provides an opportunity for rotation and for players to stake a claim for more minutes.
The immediate focus is on progressing in the cup, with the next WSL fixture a home game against Crystal Palace on 4 October. Supporters should check the club's official channels for coverage details of Wednesday's match at Keys Park.
