Villa have terminated Natalia Arroyo’s tenure, leaving the women’s side winless and perched second‑bottom in the WSL.
The decision came after a 4‑0 loss to Tottenham on Sunday, marking the second defeat in their opening four games, with a 4‑1 drubbing by Manchester City sandwiched between 1‑1 draws with Chelsea and Brighton, all marred by lackluster displays.
Arroyo arrived in January 2025 on a three‑and‑a‑half‑year deal, bringing experience from Barcelona, Espanyol and a four‑year spell at Real Sociedad that yielded a runner‑up finish in 2021‑22 and a Copa de la Reina final in her last season.
In my view, the abrupt change cost Villa continuity after she replaced Shaun Goater, who had been interim following Robert de Pauw’s exit over alleged remarks. Arroyo inherited a side that had managed only two wins in twelve games, then endured five straight league defeats before finally clawing back five victories to secure sixth place.
Villa finished ninth in her first full season with 20 points from 22 matches, but a slump and four straight losses doomed the campaign.
Technical adviser Brian Sørensen will steer the squad temporarily, including the Subway Players Cup clash with Newcastle on Wednesday. He joined in March after leaving Everton in February, ending a four‑year stint with the Merseyside side. Can Sørensen spark a revival?