Aston Villa Women are set to face a challenging WSL 2026-27 season, but a key transfer signing could be the boost they need to move up the table. The team has been working to rebuild in the image of head coach Natalia Arroyo, and the arrival of Mathilde Harviken could be the key to unlocking their defensive woes. Harviken, a 24-year-old Norwegian centre-back, has signed from Juventus, where she made close to 50 appearances and lifted the Serie A title in 2024-2025. She has represented her country since the age of 20, featuring at the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Euros.
The big blow for Arroyo will have been the departure of Kirsty Hanson, who was responsible for almost 43% of Villa's goals last season. However, the return of Rachel Daly to full fitness is a boost, while the experience of Amalie Vangsgaard is a useful acquisition. Defensively, Villa possessed the second-leakiest backline in the division last season, and they will need to tighten up to have any hope of moving up the table.
What they say...
"You can feel that we are building an honest team, a hard-working team, players that are committed to the idea, they understand that we are facing an important year for us," - Arroyo.
Where are they playing their home games?
Villa Park remains home for all WSL fixtures, while Hednesford's Keys Park Stadium will host cup games. There has been plenty of initiatives around ticketing for Villa Park this summer, with prices frozen, a new 18-25 category, a new four-match bundle offer and the return of the 82 Champions Club hospitality.
