Aston Villa sack manager Natalia Arroyo after winless WSL start
Aston Villa manager Natalia Arroyo has been sacked following a disappointing start to the Women’s Super League season.
Villa are yet to win this season, drawing two and losing two of their opening four matches and BBC Sport is told that led to the club’s decision.
They suffered a 4-0 defeat by Tottenham on Sunday in the WSL and are due to play Newcastle in the Women’s League Cup on Wednesday (19:30 BST).
Spaniard Arroyo joined Villa in January 2025 and had another two years remaining on her contract.
She becomes the first managerial departure this season, though former Manchester United boss Marc Skinner and ex-Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic both stepped down earlier this year.
The club informed Arroyo of their decision on Monday evening and players were told on Tuesday morning.
Former Everton manager Brian Sorensen, who is now Villa’s women’s technical advisor, has been placed in interim charge.
Since Arroyo’s arrival, Villa have shown flashes of potential and she initially steadied the ship as they toyed with relegation in her first six months at the club.
But despite investment in the transfer window, Villa lacked consistency and were underwhelming last season.
There was pressure on them to perform in 2026-27 and while they earned a draw on the opening weekend against Chelsea, they have looked dangerously open at the back and chaotic out of possession.
Their latest defeat by Spurs was a worrying display and appears to have been enough to lead to Arroyo’s sacking.