Women's Super League

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Having only joined the club six months ago, it has been a disappointing spell under Robert de Pauw.

Villa showed promise in their opening weekend defeat by defending champions Chelsea but ultimately, one win in nine WSL games, is not good enough for a club who had top five ambitions.

They increased their transfer budget this summer and spent a club-record £250,000 on Brazil forward Gabi Nunes, as well as a fee which could rise to £100,000 for Liverpool midfielder Missy Bo Kearns.

That backing, and raised expectations from previous seasons' success, meant scrutiny on De Pauw's position increased quickly from supporters when results failed to arrive.

Sources told BBC Sport that players had grown unhappy with his coaching methods and he was sent home earlier this week after one training session which may have been the catalyst for his early exit.

BBC Sport has approached Aston Villa for a response.

The latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.

Ellen White and Nedum Onuoha join Ben Haines after the international break to discuss the brilliant form of Bunny Shaw.

Emma Sanders joins the team to talk Dan Ashworth's departure from Manchester United and what it means for the women's squad.

Listen on BBC Sounds

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Tottenham's Eveliina Summanen and Luana Buhler are back in contention to be selected for Wednesday's game against Crystal Palace.

Defender Amy James-Turner is likely to miss out having been absent in training this week but goalkeeper Becky Spencer could return following illness.

Midfielder Summanen was substituted with cramp during Spurs' 2-1 victory over Everton on Sunday.

Switzerland international Buhler has missed the last two games with injury but has returned to full training and is expected to be named in the squad against Palace.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have found plenty of success under manager Dario Vidosic this season and one of his major philosophies has been the Seagulls' ability to play out from defence.

Their intent at Kingsmeadow against Women's Super League leaders Chelsea was no different, but a major element of their 4-2 loss in the capital was their bravery showing its potential flaws.

When Sjoeke Nüsken dispossessed Jelena Cankovic deep in Brighton's half before converting the hosts' opener, there was a warning to Brighton that league leaders Chelsea would not allow them to play how they wanted to easily.

The Blues punished Brighton again five minutes later, with Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley being tackled by Aggie Beever-Jones, who comfortably scored her side's second from a couple of yards into an empty net.

Not only from the two goals did Brighton lose possession deep in their own territory, but those two avoidable moments proved to be costly in a two-goal defeat.

Chelsea were hardly innocent themselves of similar errors, with Brighton scoring twice and going close to others from misplaced passes from the league leaders.

Had Kiko Seike been more clinical in the final 10 minutes at 3-2, Brighton could easily have taken a point off Chelsea, who are to drop any this season. They would have been deserving of it too.

Brighton deserve credit for how they've gotten themselves to the position they are in nine games into the league season. European football is really not out of the question for them.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Meetings between sides at the bottom of the table are often cagey, but this game was anything but.

West Ham came into this game 11th in the table, ahead of Palace only on goal difference. Before kick-off no ever-present team in the WSL since the start of last season had conceded more goals (59) or scored fewer (26) than Rehanne Skinner's side.

It looked like West Ham's dismal form would continue when Palace raced into an early two-goal lead, but the Hammers showed great fight and determination to turn things around before half-time.

Their position in the standings makes it easy to forget that this is a team with real quality, particularly in the attacking department.

If Viviane Asseyi and her fellow attackers continue to score goals and Skinner can get her defence to tighten up, then West Ham really should be looking to establish themselves in mid-table and maybe even push into the top six.

With the mid-way point of the season fast approaching and with a goal difference six goals worse than any other side, Palace really need to stop shipping goals if they want to avoid a immediate return to the Championship.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham recorded their third win of the Women's Super League season against Everton and can thank captain Beth England for her influence in the 2-1 victory.

When opening the scoring in the 25th minute from close range, England's thumping strike on the rebound was already her fourth shot of the the game, having already missed three headers.

Her second from the penalty spot was struck with just as much venom and a timely reminder of the player Tottenham have leading their line, as well as the whole team.

Robert Vilahamn has spoken repeatedly of his desire for attacking football and why it will be his primary focus over keeping clean sheets.

With England up front, Vilahamn certainly has the finisher he needs to spearhead his philosophy. Now, he needs the supporting cast to step up and add to England's goals.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal extended their unbeaten run under interim boss Renee Slegers to eight games in all competitions with a 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa at The Emirates Stadium.

Ahead of the game Slegers said that the Gunners are "doing a really good job to try and find the right manager for the future."

Could she be the answer? She hasn't ruled herself out, and why would she given the way she has rescued Arsenal's season from sliding into full-blown crisis.

Arsenal won just one of their opening four WSL games before Jonas Eidevall resigned in October, but under Slegers they have played like their old selves.

Alessia Russo has benefited in particular; she has scored in four consecutive league games for the first time in her career after starting the season with five blanks.

Not all Arsenal fans would welcome the permanent appointment of Eidevall's former assisstant, given the way that his regime fell apart. But it's hard to argue that Slegers shouldn't remain in her position for the rest of the season at least.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist at Joie Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City thrashed Leicester 4-0 and, once again, Bunny Shaw shone.

The 27-year-old is the WSL's top scorer and has netted seven goals in her past four matches in all competitions.

Most inside Joie Stadium slid to the edge of their seats every time she received the ball in the final third and, in reference to Shaw's nickname 'Bunny', cries of "feed the Bun and she will score" were commonplace.

It is an apt chant. Since her WSL debut in September 2021, she has netted 59 times, at least 23 more than any other player in that period.

If they are to challenge for trophies this season, Shaw will be integral.

Leicester, meanwhile, will be licking their wounds after a trip to their traditional WSL bogey team.

Leicester have never gotten a point against City in the WSL, losing all seven games, and have only ever scored against the Citizens once in the top-flight - in a 4-1 loss in 2021.

Read the report.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Liverpool will be without midfielder Marie Hobinger for Sunday's game at Manchester United due to a groin injury.

The 23-year-old Austrian international will have a scan this weekend.

Matt Beard's side are also without defenders Gemma Evans and Hannah Silcock, who both sustained concussion on international duty with Wales and England's under-23s respectively.

"It's a big blow. We haven't got any of the others back that were injured, apart from Jasmine Matthews," said manager Beard.

"It has been a bit frustrating. The injuries just keep mounting up."

It means 17-year-old Zara Shaw is set to start against United as Liverpool hope to close the six-point gap their rivals currently have on them.

"I thought she was excellent against Newcastle and she had a fantastic [under-17s] World Cup," said Beard.

"She's a dream to work with. When she did her anterior cruciate ligament, the way she went about it was so mature and so positive.

"She's a fantastic talent. She's going to be a great player in the future. If I could have played her at 15 years old, I would have because she was ready then."

Emily Herbert
BBC Radio London

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal interim boss Renee Slegers will remain in charge until the new year but says the club is doing "a really good job" to find a permanent manager.

The Gunners have been without a manager since Jonas Eidevall's departure in October but remain unbeaten in all competitions under Slegers' leadership.

"I'm happy to contribute to the team. I was really happy in the role I was contributing in before, and now I'm stepping in doing this," said Slegers.

"I think there's such a big group of people doing a really good job - players and staff - and I want to highlight everyone. I enjoy the role and the togetherness.

"A permanent manager is best for the club, obviously. We need to plan ahead because we don't know when the permanent manager will be here.

"I know the club is doing a really good job to try and find the right manager for the future."

Other talking points from Slegers' press conference:

• Midfielder Lia Walti underwent surgery during the international break and will remain in Switzerland during her recovery.

• Defender Steph Catley has returned to training after pulling out of the Australia squad with injury.

• Slegers said it was "really nice" to welcome back Amanda Ilestedt, who trained with the squad after giving birth to her first child.

• "It's nice to have Amanda back in the building, along with her little baby. She's doing really well, but there's no specific time I can share with you now."

• Meanwhile, midfielder Victoria Pelova continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury but has joined some team training sessions.

Chris Slegg
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn insists he'll continue to play "brave, attacking football" against Everton despite his team's defensive woes.

Spurs have conceded 21 goals – more than any other side in the Women's Super League this season.

"I'm not going into this game to try and have a clean sheet," said the Swede. "If you look at how we prioritise, we want to score a lot of goals."

A run of five defeats in their last six WSL matches means Spurs now sit just two points above bottom club Crystal Palace.

Tottenham have won just one of the 10 WSL meetings with Everton to date and will slip below the Toffees if they lose at Brisbane Road.

But Vilahamn says he's looking up the table, not down: "If we win this game we can be top six which is the same as last season. So, if you look at it that way, is it actually that terrible?"

Tottenham are boosted by the return of Spain international Maite Oroz who has been out since mid-October.

"She is on another level," said Vilahamn. "She was a big signing for us. She can find those progressive passes."

However, there's a blow with news that defender Ella Morris will be out for 10-12 weeks having sustained a serious knee injury while with the England under-23s.

Emily Herbert
BBC Radio London

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner says recent performances have given her side "a big confidence boost" ahead of a crucial clash with Crystal Palace.

Both sides are tied on five points at the bottom of the table but Skinner hopes West Ham can gain momentum heading into the Christmas break.

"We've been playing well, creating good chances, and scoring quality goals," said Skinner.

"The performance against Brighton was strong, even if the result didn't go our way. Then to go to London City Lionesses, a team with talented internationals, and win 4-1 was a big confidence boost.

"This is a tough league - it's why we all want to be here. But we have set targets for ourselves. We're focused on finishing in a stronger position."

Skinner has been pleased with the support West Ham have had at home games and hopes to draw on that in their high-stakes game on Sunday.

"We won't hold back - it's a derby, and we're going for it," said Skinner.

"Palace are improving in every game, but we want to make life as difficult as possible for them this weekend."

Emily Herbert
BBC Radio London

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace manager Laura Kaminski believes her team is ready to turn recent performances into points as they prepare to face London rivals West Ham.

The Eagles are currently bottom of the Women's Super League and are level on points with West Ham.

But Kaminski is confident her team has learned quickly in their first season in the WSL and backs them to pick up points.

"We're scoring goals and creating chances, which is important," Kaminski said. "Now, it's about managing moments in games.

"We've been working hard on composure and control, and I believe that will make the difference for us."

With Tottenham, Manchester United, and Arsenal next on their schedule, Kaminski is keen to keep the pressure off her players.

"This is another opportunity for points, and that's how we're approaching it," she added.

"The table shifts quickly, and while it's tight at the bottom, we're backing ourselves to get something out of every game."