Aston Villa Women Football Club is the women's football team of Aston Villa, currently playing in the Women's Super League.[3] The club has been in existence since 1973. Originally titled Solihull F.C., the team affiliated to Aston Villa in 1989, becoming Villa Aztecs, and became the official Aston Villa women's side in 1996. The club have a senior team, a reserve team and several other teams of younger age groups under a Regional Talent Club FA license.
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| Full name | Aston Villa Women Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | The Villans, The Villa, The Lions | |||
| Short name | Villa, AVWFC | |||
| Founded | 1973 (as Solihull FC) | |||
| Ground | Villa Park (league matches)[1] Bescot Stadium (cup matches) | |||
| Capacity | 42,600 11,300 | |||
| Owner | V Sports | |||
| Chairman | Nassef Sawiris | |||
| Manager | Robert de Pauw[2] | |||
| League | Women's Super League | |||
| 2023–24 | WSL, 7th of 12 | |||
| Website | https://www.avfc.co.uk/avwfc | |||
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History
edit
Aston Villa Women Football Club was formed in 1973 as Solihull FC. When Aston Villa asked for help in forming a ladies team in 1989, Solihull responded. The club agreed to change their name in 1996 to become the officially recognised ladies team of Aston Villa.
As Villa Aztecs, they reached the 1995 League Cup Final but lost 2–0 to Wimbledon, and played in the 1995–96 FA Women's Premier League but were relegated.
The senior team, renamed to Aston Villa Ladies F.C., continued to play mainly in the 2nd-tier Northern Division. The club won promotion twice more and played in the FA Women's Premier League National Division in 1999–2000[4] and in 2003–04, but ended in the relegation zone in both seasons.
The Lady Villans won the Northern Division for the fourth time in 2011 and gained promotion to the WPL National Division,[5] which had become the 2nd tier below the FA WSL.
On 5 May 2013, the club had its greatest achievement by winning its first ever trophy, the Women's Premier League Cup, beating Leeds United Ladies 5–4 on penalties.[6]
In 2014 they were one of ten teams who were elected to WSL2,[7] and in 2018 to the Women's Championship.[8]
On 4 July 2019, the team was renamed Aston Villa Women F.C., CEO Christian Purslow, said that the name "aligns more appropriately with women’s football in this country".[9] On the same day, Chief Commercial Officer, Nicola Ibbetson, was elected to the FA WSL and Women's Championship board - making Aston Villa Women one of only two Championship clubs to have a representative on the board.[10]
In 2019–20, Villa won promotion to the WSL and entered the top flight of women's football for the first time since 2004. For the 2022-23 Women's Super League season the women played four of their eleven home matches at Villa Park, where the men's team play. For the 2024-2025 season, the club announced they would play all home League fixtures at Villa Park.
Players
editFirst team squad
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
editHonours
edit
- FA Women's Premier League (Northern Division) (Level 2)
Winners (4): 1992–93, 1994–95, 2002–03, 2010–11 - FA Women's Premier League Cup
Winners (1): 2012–13 - FA Women's Championship (Level 2)
Winners (1): 2019–20
Non-playing staff
editCorporate hierarchy
edit- Source:[14]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Executive Chairman | Nassef Sawiris |
| Co-chairman | Wes Edens |
| President of Business Operations | Chris Heck[15][16] |
| President of Football Operations | Monchi[17] |
Management hierarchy
edit| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| General Manager | Marisa Ewers |
| Manager | Robert de Pauw |
| Assistant First Team Coach | Jessie van den Broek |
| Assistant First Team Coach | Shaun Goater |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Chris Stygal |
| Director of Football | Lee Billiard |
| Club Doctor | Fadi Hassan |
| Lead Physiotherapist | Dan Dagia |
| Physical Performance Lead | Kirsty Frick |
Regional Talent Club
editThe club also run several other teams under the auspices of an FA Tier Two Regional Talent Club. This centre aims to develop the talent from within the local area. The RTC teams include an under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16 and development squad
In August 2010, Aston Villa Women FC supplied eight players to a 30-strong England Under-17 training camp.[18]
References
edit- ^ "Villa Park to be main stadium for Villa Women". Aston Villa FC. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Robert de Pauw appointed new Women's manager". Aston Villa Football Club. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "2012/13 National Division table". FA. Retrieved 30 July 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "About Aston Villa Ladies football club". AVLFC. Archived from the original on 16 August 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2007.
- ^ "2010/11 Northern Division table". FA. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "2012/13 FA Women's Premier League Cup fixtures". FA. Retrieved 30 July 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "INTRODUCING ASTON VILLA LADIES". FA Women's Super League. Aston villa women's team have won 18 major trophies. The FA. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ^ "Villa Secure Place in FA Women's Championship". Archived from the original on 19 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ Styles, Greg (4 July 2019). "Aston Villa Ladies become Aston Villa Women ahead of new season". Aston Villa F.C. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ "Aston Villa Ladies become Aston Villa Women ahead of new season". avfc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- ^ "Aston Villa Women's Team". Aston Villa FC. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Our 2024/25 squad numbers are locked in🔢💜". Aston Villa Women. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Gregory departs on loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Who's who". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
- ^ "V Sports and Aston Villa announce Chris Heck appointment". Aston Villa Football Club. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ Evans, Gregg (12 June 2023). "Villa CEO Purslow leaves club". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Monchi appointed President of Football Operations". Aston Villa Football Club. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Training camp squad selected". TheFA.com. 3 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2010.