Aston Villa Women are back in action this weekend against WSL champions Chelsea at Villa Park.

They go into Sunday's game on the back of a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City, which was Shaun Goater's last match in charge as interim boss. New manager Natalia Arroyo - who replaces Robert de Pauw - will be in place for her first match against Chelsea this weekend.

Arroyo started work at Bodymoor Heath earlier this week as she takes on a fresh challenge at Villa having left Real Sociedad at the end of the 2023-24 season. The Spaniard guided them to the Copa de la Reina final and also clinched a second-placed finish to earn a Champions League spot in her time there.

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Next up: Chelsea at Villa Park

Villa currently sit in ninth position in the WSL, but are only two points off seventh. There is, however, a seven point gap to Spurs - who sit above Liverpool - in sixth place.

Chelsea provide the most stringent test of any side in the Women's top-flight. They won the league last season and are unbeaten this term, winning 11 of their 12 matches, drawing once.

Sonia Bompastor's side beat Villa 1-0 back in September as Johanna Rytting Kaneryd scored the only goal of the game before half-time. Villa were a good match for the champions after registering 13 shots, five on target and also holding more possession of the ball.

Kenza Dali departs

Last week, Villa confirmed Kenza Dali has joined San Diego Wave for an undisclosed fee. She joined Villa in 2022 from Everton and made her debut against Man City at Villa Park, scoring in the season-opening 4-3 victory.

Dali went on to make 66 appearances for the club, scoring on nine occasions. She played a key role in the club's rise in recent seasons and helped secure their best-ever finish in the WSL as well as reaching the semi-finals of both domestic cup competitions.

The France international posted an emotional statement to the Villa fans on social media following her exit.

"Losing a loved one still feels like I lost a part of me. Playing the Olympics just a month after was one of the biggest challenges I could face and I did it to honour my family and stand with my teammates.

"I gave everything that I had despite my personal challenges, and I tried to make those Olympics at home a ray of light in a moment of darkness. That cost me a lot, and I have to admit I struggled with my mental health. Everyone who knows me knows my family is everything to me.

"I will never thank enough the people that supported me throughout those tough times, my national team staff, my teammates. That will stay with me.

"Coming back to my happy place, Aston Villa, was ever so important to me. Unfortunately, there again, things didn't go as planned and I still feel today that I wasn't able to give everything that I had for the club. I wish I could have done more.

"It is with a heavy heart that I am leaving the club but felt like it was a decision that I needed to make. I would like to thank all of you Villans for the support you’ve given me, and the team, for those past years. I wish you all nothing but the best and will follow you from afar!"

Sophie Poor heads out on loan

Meanwhile, Villa Women also confirmed that Sophia Poor joined London City Lionesses on loan until the end of the season.

The goalkeeper joined the club in the summer of 2023 and made her senior debut against Chelsea last season in April.

Poor has since made two further appearances, most recently in our fourth round Adobe Women’s FA Cup win over Bristol Rovers.