Aston Villa Women welcome Liverpool Women to Keys Park on Sunday, 18 October 2026, as both teams return to Women’s Super League action following the international break.
Villa are still searching for their first league victory of the season, having collected just three points from five matches. Liverpool, meanwhile, sit sixth with seven points and will be looking to strengthen their position in the upper half of the table.
With Brian Sørensen confirmed as Aston Villa’s interim head coach for the remainder of the campaign and Gareth Taylor welcoming several players back into training, Sunday’s encounter offers an important opportunity for both sides.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Match Details
- Competition: Women’s Super League 2026/27
- Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
- Kick-off: 14:00 BST (15:00 CEST)
- Venue: Keys Park, Hednesford
Aston Villa Searching for Their First WSL Win
The Villains have endured a difficult start to the 2026/27 season, sitting 13th with three draws and two defeats from their opening five matches. They have scored four goals and conceded 11, averaging just 0.8 goals per league game.
Their most recent WSL fixture ended in a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. Noelle Maritz gave Villa the lead shortly after half-time, but Abbie Larkin’s long-range equaliser denied them a first victory.
Despite the disappointment, interim head coach Brian Sørensen was encouraged by his team’s performance. “I think performance-wise, it was quite good. Another step in the right direction,” Sørensen said.
The Villa coach felt his side dominated much of the first half but struggled with fatigue towards the end, having played five matches in 14 days. The international break has therefore provided an opportunity to recover and prepare for another demanding run of fixtures.
Villa also confirmed on Friday that Sørensen, who replaced Natalia Arroyo in September, will remain interim head coach until the end of the 2026/27 season. That decision provides continuity as the club attempts to move away from the relegation positions.
Liverpool Looking to Build on Encouraging Start
Liverpool have made a considerably stronger start, recording two wins, one draw and two defeats in their opening five league matches. The Reds have scored nine goals and conceded six, keeping two clean sheets.
Their most recent WSL outing ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat against Manchester United, although they enjoyed success in the Women’s League Cup before the international break, beating Birmingham City 4-3.
Gareth Taylor’s side have shown encouraging attacking quality, averaging 1.8 league goals per game, while their 57.4% average possession highlights their preference for controlling matches through the ball.
Taylor believes the international break has left his players refreshed. “All the players have come back looking really good, really sharp,” he explained ahead of Sunday’s trip.
The Liverpool head coach also stressed the importance of quickly returning to the team’s established playing style after international duty.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Team News
Aston Villa
The home team has not provided a detailed injury update in the club information available ahead of this fixture. Sørensen’s comments following the Crystal Palace draw focused on his team’s fatigue and the importance of recovery during the international break.
With no confirmed new absences in the supplied information, the starting XI from that match provides the clearest basis for Sunday’s prediction.
Liverpool
Liverpool have received a boost with Vivien Endemann, Lucy Parry and Mari Ward returning to team training. However, Gareth Taylor confirmed that several players remain unavailable.
Aurélie Csillag faces a lengthy absence, while Sophie Roman Haug and Anna Josendal are not yet ready to return to training. Ceri Holland is making progress but is not expected to be ready immediately. Mao Itamura is also moving closer to full match fitness.
Taylor will therefore have some additional options available, although it remains uncertain whether the returning players are ready to start.
Predicted Starting Line-ups
Aston Villa (3-4-2-1)
Okuma; Patten, Harviken, Deslandes; Wilms, Grant, Taylor, Keijland; Kendall, Maritz; Vangsgaard.
Villa could retain much of the side that drew with Crystal Palace. Maritz’s goal in that match gives Sørensen another reason to maintain continuity, although the coach may adjust his selection following the international break.
Liverpool (4-1-4-1)
Keating; Kerr, Clark, Fisk, Bernabé; Nagano; Bergström, Maclean, Álvarez, Kapocs; Olsson.
Liverpool’s prediction follows the starting XI used against Manchester United. Endemann, Parry and Ward could provide alternatives after returning to training, but their readiness to start remains uncertain.
Tactical Preview: Liverpool’s Possession Against Villa’s Defensive Challenge
Liverpool’s ability to control possession could be decisive on Sunday. Grace Fisk has attempted more passes than any other player in the WSL this season, completing 416 of her 450 attempts with an impressive 92.4% accuracy.
Her partnership with Jenna Clark has also been particularly influential, with the pair combining for 113 passes, more than any other two players in the competition.
Liverpool’s build-up play could therefore put Villa under sustained pressure, particularly given the home side’s average possession of just 41.2%. Alejandra Bernabé offers another attacking threat from full-back. She leads the WSL with 14 completed dribbles and has recorded 55 carries, demonstrating her ability to advance the ball into dangerous areas.
Villa will need to remain compact defensively while finding opportunities to attack when Liverpool commit players forward. Sørensen’s team showed encouraging attacking movement against Crystal Palace, but converting promising spells into goals remains a major challenge.
Liverpool have also been effective at defending set pieces, with the Reds among just three WSL teams yet to concede from a dead-ball situation this season. That record could make Villa’s task even more difficult.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Head-to-Head
Recent meetings suggest this fixture could be more competitive than the league standings indicate.
Aston Villa won both WSL encounters last season:
- Aston Villa 3-0 Liverpool — 11 December 2025
- Liverpool 1-4 Aston Villa — 8 February 2026
Villa also recorded a 2-1 away victory against Liverpool in March 2025.
However, Liverpool have historically enjoyed success in this fixture, collecting 13 WSL points against Villa since returning to the top flight in 2022/23.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool Prediction
Aston Villa will be desperate to end their winless run, particularly after showing signs of improvement against Crystal Palace. However, Liverpool enter the match with greater attacking productivity, stronger possession statistics and a more settled defensive structure.
Villa’s recent head-to-head record provides encouragement, but their difficulty scoring goals and vulnerability defensively remain significant concerns.
Liverpool should have enough quality to control large periods of the match, although Villa are capable of creating opportunities at home.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool.
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