Guardian writers’ predicted position: 9th (NB: this is not necessarily Sophie Downey’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season was a frustrating one for Aston Villa and a ninth-place finish will have been disappointing for the club and fans. Nevertheless, under Natalia Arroyo, there has always been something about Villa that catches the eye – a work in progress that is full of youthful exuberance, far from the finished product yet clearly full of potential. It is that promise that means there will again be considerable excitement going into Arroyo’s second season in charge.
It has been a summer of change that has allowed the Spaniard to continue to rebuild the team in her image, one that will suit the distinct brand of direct football she favours. Several stalwarts have moved on, with Sarah Mayling, Sabrina D’Angelo and Ebony Salmon departing and Lucy Staniforth retiring. Young talents such as Akane Okuma, Kamilla Melgård and Mia McAulay have been recruited, while England Under-20 international Lily Murphy has come in on loan.
The big blow for Arroyo will have been the departure of Kirsty Hanson. The 28-year-old was responsible for almost 43% of Villa’s goals last season and figuring out how to replace that output will be the head coach’s biggest task. The return of Rachel Daly to full fitness is a boost while the experience of Amalie Vangsgaard is a useful acquisition.
Defensively is where the biggest questions continue to lie. Villa possessed the second-leakiest backline in the division last season – they will need to tighten up to have any hope of moving up the table. Villa’s work away from the pitch continues to grow, with the women’s team operating as an independent entity.
The managing director, Maggie Murphy, said that reconnecting with the fanbase has been at the forefront of the club’s efforts and that has been evident. Last season brought collaborations with Level Playing Field, an International Women’s Day event and a women’s clothing range launched with AFTA Studios. Saathi House, a foundation working to empower women, young people and migrant communities in Birmingham, featured on the front of the shirt during the World Sevens Tournament.
Arroyo’s first 18 months in the Women’s Super League have been full of ups and downs, but there is no doubt the charismatic head coach brings something different. She is a constant bundle of energy, living every moment in her technical area. Arroyo has a clear vision for what she wants and her direct style of in-possession play, using pacy forwards to attack the spaces behind the opposition, has been well-defined.
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