Aston Villa sack boss Arroyo after winless WSL start

Aston Villa has dismissed manager Natalia Arroyo following an underwhelming start to the Women's Super League season. The team has failed to secure a single victory so far, drawing two and losing two of their first four matches. BBC Sport reports that this poor performance prompted the club to make the decision to part ways with Arroyo.

They suffered a 4-0 loss to Tottenham on Sunday, and they are set to face Newcastle in the Women's League Cup on Wednesday at 19:30 BST. Arroyo, a Spaniard who joined Villa in January 2025, had two years remaining on her contract. She has become the first manager to be sacked this season, despite former Manchester United boss Marc Skinner and ex-Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic also stepping down earlier in the year.

The club notified Arroyo of the decision on Monday evening, and her players were informed on Tuesday morning. Former Everton manager Brian Sorensen, now Villa's women's technical advisor, has taken over as interim manager. Since Arroyo's arrival, Villa has displayed brief moments of promise but has struggled with inconsistency and lacked the necessary consistency.

Despite investments in the transfer window, the team has underperformed last season, looking vulnerable defensively and disorganized when not in possession. The recent defeat by Tottenham was a concerning display, leading to the manager's dismissal. Star players Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie will return for another season with the Women's Football Weekly podcast.

New episodes will be released every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, along with interviews and additional content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed.