Aston Villa sack boss Arroyo after winless WSL start

Aston Villa have dismissed head coach Natalia Arroyo after a winless start to the Women’s Super League campaign. The club confirmed the decision following a run of two draws and two losses in the opening four fixtures, which left Villa without a victory this season. BBC Sport reported that the poor form prompted the board’s action. The most recent setback came on Sunday, when Tottenham inflicted a 4‑0 defeat on Villa. The team is scheduled to face Newcastle in the Women’s League Cup on Wednesday at 19:30 BST. Arroyo, a Spaniard, was appointed in January 2025 and still had two years remaining on her contract. She becomes the first managerial departure in the WSL this season, although former Manchester United boss Marc Skinner and ex‑Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic had already stepped down earlier in the year. Club officials informed Arroyo of the decision on Monday evening, and the squad was notified the following morning. Former Everton manager Brian Sorensen, who serves as Villa’s women’s technical advisor, has been placed in interim charge. Since Arroyo’s arrival, Villa have displayed occasional flashes of promise, and she initially steadied the side as they battled relegation during her first six months at the club. However, despite activity in the transfer window, the team struggled to find consistency and underperformed last season. Pressure mounted for Villa to improve ahead of the 2026‑27 campaign. Although they secured a draw against Chelsea in the opener, defensive frailties and disjointed possession have been evident. The heavy loss to Tottenham was described as a worrying performance and appears to have been the decisive factor in Arroyo’s dismissal.