Aston Villa sack Arroyo after winless league start

Aston Villa have sacked women's manager Natalia Arroyo after four league games without a win.

The call came after Sunday's 4-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Women's Super League, England's top division. Villa have drawn two and lost two so far. BBC Sport reported it was told that run of results led to the decision.

It is a sharp fall. Villa opened the season with a draw against Chelsea on the opening weekend. That point felt promising. Chelsea are serial winners. Taking anything from them lifts a dressing room.

What followed hurt. No wins in the next three league games. Then Tottenham. Four goals conceded, none scored. Momentum vanished.

For fans, this means a familiar football feeling. Hope in August, frustration by late September. One heavy defeat can change the noise around a manager. Villa acted quickly.

Arroyo joined Villa in January 2025. She had two years left on her contract. Her exit is the first managerial departure of this Women's Super League season.

There was a bright spot last week. Villa beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in the Subway Players Cup, the league cup competition for women's clubs in England. Arroyo spoke afterwards about positives to build on, according to Aston Villa. Five days later, she was gone. Cup form rarely saves a manager when league points dry up.

Villa now turn to Wednesday. They face Newcastle in the Women's League Cup at 19:30 BST. Someone else will have to pick the team and set the tone.

The league table tells the short story. Zero wins from four. Two points from a possible 12. A draw earns one point, a win earns three. Managers live by those numbers.

To a newcomer, that start may sound early for such a big call. In football, it is not unusual. A manager sets the tactics, picks the team and carries the results. When results stall, clubs often move fast to protect the season.

What makes this stand out is the speed. Four games is little time. But clubs often judge the direction of travel, not just the points. Villa clearly felt the direction was wrong.

Villa supporters know the drill now. A new voice on the training ground. A shuffle in the dugout on Wednesday night. Then the search for steadiness, and for a first league win.