Women's Super League

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Liverpool midfielder Zara Shaw has started rehabilitation on an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained while on international duty with England's Under-19s.

It is the second time the 17-year-old has suffered an ACL injury after first doing so in August 2023. The club say she will now "undergo a specialist review to plan next steps in her treatment".

Shaw returned to fitness at the end of last season and has made eight appearances for the Reds this campaign.

"Football truly is the biggest rollercoaster," Shaw said. "It hurts right now and doesn't seem fair, but I have done it once and I will do it again."

Interim boss Amber Whiteley added: "It's difficult to find the words to express how much disappointment everyone feels for Zara at the moment.

"We are fortunate to have a brilliant medical team and a special group of players who will no doubt give Zara the best support possible. We will all be with her every step of the way."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Aston Villa's head of women's football Lee Billiard is set to step down from his role at the end of the season by mutual consent.

Billiard joined Villa from Bristol City in 2021 and has overseen the running of the club during their time in the Women's Super League.

He has been a key leader in the team's player and management recruitment, as well as the running of day-to-day operations alongside Villa's board of directors.

It has been a disappointing season for Villa and they are currently fighting to avoid relegation, sitting four points clear of bottom club Crystal Palace.

They hired and sacked former boss Robert de Pauw after less than six months in charge before appointing current manager Natalia Arroyo in January.

A disappointing campaign, including poor results and unsuccessful recruitment, has led to internal frustrations and it seemed inevitable that change would happen.

It is understood Villa are looking at the possibility of bringing across a member of staff from the men's side of the club to fill the role.

The running of the women's team has adapted since the arrival of sporting director Monchi as president of football operations in 2023, with the club attempting to bring it closer to the men's side, but they have struggled for consistency.

Despite a difficult year, Billiard has had huge success previously at the club with the appointment of former manager Carla Ward, who led Villa to a highest league position when they finished fifth at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Billiard also helped consolidate their place in the WSL after they gained promotion from the Women's Championship in 2020 and helped implement an impressive recruitment strategy.

The club have been contacted for comment by BBC Sport.

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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has challenged captain Maya Le Tissier to break into Sarina Wiegman's England squad.

Despite playing in the Women's Super League's best defence this season having conceded just nine goals, Le Tissier is struggling for minutes under Wiegman.

In Tuesday's defeat by Belgium, Wiegman replaced two defenders at half-time but did not turn to the United skipper.

"I won't discuss Sarina's plans because they are hers to discuss," Skinner told BBC Sport. "I see the absolute value in Maya and what she gives to our team.

"She is a fantastic captain and a fantastic person. I can only see growth in that. I don't know where Sarina sees Maya within her plan. I just know when Maya comes back to Manchester United she is going to give the same consistency, the same quality and she is going to keep growing.

"My challenge then goes back to Maya. It's your job to break into Sarina's plans as well. Me and her have a relationship where we can challenge each other. Every day she has got to get better. Even though she is fantastic, she has to get better.

"I want this player, especially my captain, to be one of the world's best. She is proving the consistency but there is much more to come. I am really proud of Maya and the growth this season.

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Michelle Agyemang has "made a name for herself now" with her stunning debut goal for England, according to former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie.

The 19-year-old scored a stunning volley with her first two touches within seconds of coming on in the Lionesses' defeat by Belgium on Tuesday.

Agyemang is on loan at Brighton from parent club Arsenal for the 2024-25 campaign and has made 19 appearances in all competitions for Dario Vidosic's side, scoring three goals.

Beattie - who spent time with Agyemang at Arsenal - told BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast: "She is unreal. She was an Academy player when I was at Arsenal and she used to come up to training and was sometimes involved in match squads.

"I kid you not, she would do that in training. She is an incredible box player, an unbelievable finisher. She doesn't need more than one or two touches exactly what you saw against Belgium.

"It was a hard loss for England, but I hope she gets her moment because that is unbelievable to come on and take 41 seconds to get your first senior goal. And what a goal. She didn't even celebrate. I get it with the context of the game, but I hope deep down she is absolutely buzzing because I am for her.

"She has made a name for herself now. There is no better intro to a senior squad than that in an international debut. I was shouting in my living room for that one."

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Chloe Kelly has left the England camp and returned to Arsenal for treatment on a foot injury.

On Thursday, England boss Sarina Wiegman confirmed the forward would miss Friday's Nations League game against Belgium.

After further assessments she has now also been ruled out of Tuesday's return fixture.

The 27-year-old has scored once and registered four assists in her seven appearances for the Gunners since joining on loan from Manchester City on deadline day.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Andy O'Boyle is set to return to Liverpool to be appointed as managing director of the women's team.

He will replace Russ Fraser, who took on the role in October 2021 and oversaw Liverpool's promotion from the Women's Championship.

Fraser was part of the club's board that signed off the women's team's move to the Melwood training ground and their new stadium in St Helens.

O'Boyle spent two years as Manchester United's deputy football director before leaving the club in September 2024, and previously worked at Liverpool as head of fitness.

There has been a reshuffle at Liverpool as the club attempt to bring the women's team operations closer together with the men's side.

This latest move comes after the club announced long-standing director Susan Black will be stepping down at the end of the season after 14 years in various roles.

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Defender Grace Fisk has signed a new contract of an undisclosed length with Liverpool.

The 27-year-old has made 46 appearances in all competitions since joining the club from West Ham before the 2023-24 season, scoring two goals.

Fisk, who began her career at Millwall, represented England at Under-21 level.

"I've really been happy during my time at Liverpool. I still can't believe it's only my second year here as it definitely feels like so much longer," Fisk said.

"It was a pretty easy decision for me in the end because I've loved my time here so far and look forward to the future.

"We have such a good group of players which is a big part in why I wanted to stay. This year hasn't been what we hoped bouncing off last season, but we want to build on that and we know we have the quality and potential."

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

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A late own goal gave Aston Villa their first WSL win since December and moved them four points above the relegation zone.

When Marie Hobinger converted from the penalty spot just before the hour mark it looked like Villa were headed for a sixth straight defeat under Natalia Arroyo, but going behind seemed to spark them into life.

Kirsty Hanson did brilliantly to latch onto Missy Bo Kearns' long ball, round Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws and slot her strike past two back-tracking defenders.

Arroyo's side refused to settle for a point and got their reward when Liverpool substitute Jenna Clark converted an Ebony Salmon cut-back into her own net.

Villa have had a tough season and have been unlucky at times, but if they avoid the drop and carry the same fight and togetherness into next season then they should be pushing for a top half finish.