Aston Villa 2023–24 football season
| 2023–24 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Carla Ward | |||
| Stadium | Bescot Stadium, Walsall | |||
| WSL | 7th | |||
| FA Cup | Fourth round | |||
| League Cup | Semi-finals | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Rachel Daly (8) All: Rachel Daly (16) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 12,533 (vs. Manchester United, 1 October) | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 1,784 (vs. Brighton & Hove Albion, 17 December) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 5,100 | |||
| ||||
| ← 2022–232024–25 → | ||||
The 2023–24 Aston Villa W.F.C. season was the club's 28th season under their Aston Villa affiliation. It was the organisation's 50th overall season in existence, and their fourth season in the Women's Super League (the highest level of the football pyramid). Along with competing in the WSL, the club also contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.
In November 2022, a new club crest was unveiled to be used from the start of the 2023–24 season, and it was later clarified that the new badge would be used exclusively on kits and training wear. The existing badge would continue to be used as the primary on all other channels, with consultations around a new permanent crest ongoing.
On 3 May 2024, it was announced that Carla Ward had taken the decision to step down as manager at the end of the season, despite having a year left on her contract.
Squad
- As of 31 January 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Transfers
Transfers in
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 June 2023 | GK | 
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Daphne van Domselaar | FC Twente
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| 6 July 2023 | DF | 
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Lucy Parker | West Ham United
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| 11 July 2023 | DF | 
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Anna Patten | Arsenal
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| 11 August 2023 | FW | 
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Kirsty Hanson | Manchester United
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| 24 August 2023 | GK |
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Sophia Poor | Leicester City
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| 8 September 2023 | FW |
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Ebony Salmon |  Houston Dash
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| 11 September 2023 | FW | 
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Adriana Leon | Manchester United
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| 6 January 2024 | DF | 
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Noelle Maritz | Arsenal
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Loans in
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 February 2024 | MF |
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Miri Taylor | Liverpool
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End of season |
Transfers out
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2023 | MF |
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Remi Allen | Birmingham City
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| FW |
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Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah | London City Lionesses
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| FW | 
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Emily Gielnik | Melbourne Victory
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| FW | 
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Natasha Harding | Retired | ||
| FW |
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Ruesha Littlejohn | London City Lionesses
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| DF |
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Evie Rabjohn | Manchester United
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| 1 June 2023 | DF |
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Elisha N'Dow | Charlton Athletic
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| GK |
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Sian Rogers | Charlton Athletic
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| 15 June 2023 | GK |
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Hannah Hampton | Chelsea
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| 20 June 2023 | DF |
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Meaghan Sargeant | Retired | |
| 4 July 2023 | MF |
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Mary McAteer | Sunderland
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| 5 July 2023 | MF |
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Olivia Rabjohn | West Bromwich Albion
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| 31 January 2024 | MF |
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Laura Blindkilde | Manchester City
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Loans out
| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2023 | FW |
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Freya Gregory | Reading
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4 January 2024 | |
| 17 January 2024 | MF |
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Olivia McLoughlin | Rangers
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End of season |
Preseason
Aston Villa v Southampton| 19 August 2023 Friendly | Aston Villa | 1–2 | Southampton | Bodymoor Heath |
| Report | Stadium: Bodymoor Heath Attendance: Behind-closed-doors |
| 26 August 2023 Friendly | Tottenham Hotspur | 0–0 | Aston Villa | Tottenham |
| Report | Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Attendance: Behind-closed-doors |
v Aston Villa
| 1 September 2023 Friendly | Villarreal | 3–3 | Aston Villa | Benidorm, Spain |
| Report | Stadium: Meliá Villaitana Football Center Attendance: Behind-closed-doors |
Women's Super League
Main article: 2023–24 Women's Super LeagueResults summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 27 | 43 | −16 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 28 | −15 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 15 | −1 |
Last updated: 18 May 2024.
Source: WSL
Results by matchday
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H |
| Result | L | L | L | L | L | W | W | L | L | W | W | L | D | W | L | W | L | D | L | D | W | L |
| Position | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Results
Aston Villa v Manchester United| 1 October 2023 1 | Aston Villa | 1–2 | Manchester United | Aston |
| 12:30 | Report | Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 12,533 Referee: Rebecca Welch |
14'
74'| 8 October 2023 2 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Aston Villa | Birkenhead |
| 18:45 | Report | Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 2,963 Referee: Melissa Burgin |
| 15 October 2023 3 | Arsenal | 2–1 | Aston Villa | London |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Emirates Stadium Attendance: 35,829 Referee: Amy Fearn |
| 21 October 2023 4 | Aston Villa | 2–4 | Tottenham Hotspur | Walsall |
| 12:30 | Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 2,810 Referee: Lauren Impey |
| 4 November 2023 5 | Aston Villa | 0–6 | Chelsea | Walsall |
| 12:30 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,086 Referee: Abigail Byrne |
| 12 November 2023 6 | Bristol City | 0–2 | Aston Villa | Bristol |
| 14:00 |
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Report | Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 4,407 Referee: Melissa Burgin |
| 19 November 2023 7 | West Ham United | 2–3 | Aston Villa | Dagenham |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Victoria Road Attendance: 1,406 Referee: Keith Stroud |
| 26 November 2023 8 | Aston Villa | 1–2 | Everton | Aston |
| 16:30 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 4,203 Referee: Stacey Pearson |
| 9 December 2023 9 | Manchester City | 2–1 | Aston Villa | Manchester |
| 12:00 |
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Report | Stadium: Academy Stadium Attendance: 3,047 Referee: Abigail Byrne |
| 17 December 2023 10 | Aston Villa | 1–0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Walsall |
| 18:45 | Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 1,784 Referee: Emily Heaslip |
89'| 19 January 2024 11 | Leicester City | 0–1 | Aston Villa | Burton upon Trent |
| 19:00 |
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Report | Stadium: Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 1,064 Referee: Elizabeth Simms |
| 28 January 2024 12 | Manchester United | 2–1 | Aston Villa | Leigh |
| 12:00 | Report | Stadium: Leigh Sports Village Attendance: 6,347 Referee: Adewunmi Soneye |
| 3 February 2024 13 | Aston Villa | 2–2 | Bristol City | Walsall |
| 12:30 | Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 2,190 Referee: Stacey Pearson |
| 18 February 2024 14 | Tottenham Hotspur | 1–2 | Aston Villa | Leyton |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 1,971 Referee: Adewunmi Soneye |
| 3 March 2024 15 | Aston Villa | 1–4 | Liverpool | Walsall |
| 14:00 | Report |
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Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 3,045 Referee: Lisa Benn |
| 16 March 2024 16 | Everton | 1–2 | Aston Villa | Liverpool |
| 13:00 |
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Report | Stadium: Walton Hall Park Attendance: 1,097 Referee: Phoebe Cross |
| 24 March 2024 17 | Aston Villa | 1–3 | Arsenal | Aston |
| 18:45 | Report |
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Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 10,076 Referee: Stacey Pearson |
| 30 March 2024 18 | Aston Villa | 2–2 | Leicester City | Walsall |
| 12:30 | Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 2,182 Referee: Elizabeth Simms |
| 17 April 2024 19 | Chelsea | 3–0 | Aston Villa | Kingston upon Thames |
| 19:00 |
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Report | Stadium: Kingsmeadow Attendance: 1,801 Referee: Melissa Burgin | |
| Note: Rescheduled from 21 April 2024 due to Chelsea's participation in the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals. | ||||
| 28 April 2024 20 | Aston Villa | 1–1 | West Ham United | Aston |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 4,282 Referee: Emily Heaslip |
| 4 May 2024 21 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0–1 | Aston Villa | Crawley |
| 13:00 |
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Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 2,651 Referee: Elizabeth Simms |
| 18 May 2024 22 | Aston Villa | 1–2 | Manchester City | Aston |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 8,912 Referee: Kirsty Dowle |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Manchester United | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 42 | 32 | +10 | 35 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 22 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 31 | 36 | −5 | 31 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 27 | 43 | −16 | 24 |
| 8 | Everton | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 24 | 37 | −13 | 23 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 26 | 48 | −22 | 19 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
Women's FA Cup
Main article: 2023–24 Women's FA CupAs a member of the first tier, Aston Villa entered the FA Cup in the fourth round proper.
Aston Villa v Everton| 13 January 2024 Fourth round | Aston Villa | 0–3 | Everton | Walsall |
| 12:30 | Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 1,394 Referee: Amy Fearns |
FA Women's League Cup
Main article: 2023–24 FA Women's League CupGroup stage
Sheffield United v Aston Villa| 8 November 2023 Group stage | Sheffield United | 0–5 | Aston Villa | Alfreton |
| 19:45 |
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Report | Stadium: North Street Attendance: 554 Referee: Aaron Ford |
| 22 November 2023 Group stage | Aston Villa | 7–0 | Blackburn Rovers | Walsall |
| 19:00 | Report |
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Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,579 Referee: Phoebe Cross |
| 13 December 2023 Group stage | Aston Villa | 5–1 | Durham | Walsall |
| 18:00 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 1,488 Referee: Jane Simms |
| 24 January 2024 Group stage | Sunderland | H–W | Aston Villa | Hetton-le-Hole |
| 19:30 | Stadium: Eppleton CW Ground Attendance: 870 Referee: Lucy May | |||
| Note: Aston Villa won the match 7–0 but Sunderland were awarded a scoreless victory via independent tribunal and the record was expunged on 29 January after Aston Villa were found guilty of fielding an ineligible cup-tied player. As a result, Villa still qualified from the group but as a best-placed runner-up instead of a group winner. | ||||
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunderland (Q) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 10 | Advanced to knock-out stage |
| 2 | Aston Villa (Q) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 1 | +16 | 9 | Possible knock-out stage based on ranking |
| 3 | Durham | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 7 | |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 13 | −8 | 3 | |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 12 | −9 | 1 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated
Ranking of second-placed teams
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | WPEN | LPEN | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Tottenham Hotspur (Q) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 3 | +12 | 10 | 2.50 | Advanced to knock-out stage |
| 2 | A | Aston Villa (Q) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 1 | +16 | 9 | 2.25 | |
| 3 | B | Manchester United | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 9 | 2.25 | |
| 4 | C | Crystal Palace | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 | 1.33 | |
| 5 | E | Charlton Athletic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | 1.00 |
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated
Knockout stage
Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa| 7 February 2024 Quarter-final | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (0–2 p) | Aston Villa | Crawley |
| 19:00 |
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Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 1,050 Referee: Lauren Impey | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 6 March 2024 Semi-final | Arsenal | 4–0 | Aston Villa | Borehamwood |
| 19:15 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Meadow Park Attendance: 3,507 Referee: Paul Howard |
Squad statistics
Appearances
- As of match played 18 May 2024
Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | WSL | FA Cup | League Cup | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 1 | GK | NED
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Daphne van Domselaar | 15 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ENG
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Sarah Mayling | 27 | 1 | 20+1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | IRL
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Anna Patten | 27 | 1 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 |
| 5 | MF | ENG
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Lucy Staniforth | 15 | 0 | 8+3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | SCO
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Rachel Corsie | 26 | 1 | 16+5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 7 | FW | SUI
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Alisha Lehmann | 20 | 4 | 10+5 | 2 | 0+1 | 0 | 2+2 | 2 |
| 8 | MF | ENG
|
Jordan Nobbs | 28 | 2 | 17+5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG
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Rachel Daly | 25 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2+2 | 8 |
| 10 | MF |  FRA
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Kenza Dali | 24 | 0 | 16+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2+3 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | ENG
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Freya Gregory | 3 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | GK | ENG
|
Sophia Poor | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | ENG
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Danielle Turner | 21 | 2 | 15+3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 15 | DF | ENG
|
Lucy Parker | 9 | 1 | 4+4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | ENG
|
Ebony Salmon | 24 | 6 | 5+13 | 3 | 0+1 | 0 | 4+1 | 3 |
| 18 | MF | ENG
|
Georgia Mullett | 10 | 0 | 0+6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+3 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | SCO
|
Kirsty Hanson | 22 | 1 | 12+4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3+2 | 1 |
| 21 | GK |  NZL
|
Anna Leat | 12 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 22 | FW |  NIR
|
Simone Magill | 18 | 0 | 5+9 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 |
| 23 | FW | CAN
|
Adriana Leon | 22 | 6 | 14+4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 25 | MF | ENG
|
Miri Taylor | 8 | 0 | 4+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | SUI
|
Noelle Maritz | 13 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | ENG
|
Alice Keitley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | DF | ENG
|
Maz Pacheco | 23 | 2 | 12+6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 34 | DF | ENG
|
Martha MacPhail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 49 | DF | ENG
|
Lydia Sallaway | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| Players away from the club on loan: | |||||||||||
| 16 | MF | ENG
|
Olivia McLoughlin | 6 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Players who appeared for the club but left during the season: | |||||||||||
| 19 | MF | ENG
|
Laura Blindkilde | 13 | 0 | 8+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
References
- "Aston Villa unveil new club crest". BBC Sport. 10 November 2022.
- Townley, John (26 September 2023). "Aston Villa confirm plans for new crest as round badge decision explained". Birmingham Mail.
- "Carla Ward: Aston Villa boss to leave at end of season". BBC Sport. 3 May 2024.
- "van Domselaar to join Villa Women!". Aston Villa Football Club. 16 June 2023.
- "Lucy Parker joins Villa Women!". Aston Villa Football Club. 6 July 2023.
- "Anna Patten signs permanent deal with Villa Women!". Aston Villa Football Club. 11 July 2023.
- "Kirsty Hanson joins Villa Women on permanent deal!". Aston Villa Football Club. 11 August 2023.
- "Aston Villa Women squad numbers for 2023/24". Aston Villa Football Club. 24 August 2023.
- "Ebony Salmon re-joins Villa Women!". Aston Villa Football Club. 8 September 2023.
- "Adriana Leon joins Villa Women!". Aston Villa Football Club. 11 September 2023.
- "Noelle Maritz joins Villa Women!". Aston Villa Football Club. 6 January 2024.
- "Villa Women announce Taylor signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 1 February 2024.
- "Remi Allen to depart Aston Villa Women". Aston Villa Football Club. 19 May 2023.
- Pinnock, Hannah (23 July 2023). "Former Birmingham City star Remi Allen returns following Aston Villa exit". BirminghamLive.
- ^ "Villa Women confirm quartet of departures". Aston Villa Football Club. 26 May 2023.
- "Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah joins London City Lionesses on one-year contract". London City Lionesses. 26 August 2023.
- "Melbourne Victory signs Emily Gielnik". Melbourne Victory FC. 22 September 2023.
- "Wales centurion Harding announces retirement". BBC Sport.
- "Republic of Ireland international Ruesha Littlejohn joins London City Lionesses". London City Lionesses. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- "Evie Rabjohn agrees to join United Women". www.manutd.com. 3 May 2023.
- ^ "N'Dow and Rogers to depart Villa Women". Aston Villa Football Club. 1 June 2023.
- "Elisha N'Dow completes permanent move". www.charltonafc.com. 20 July 2023.
- "Sian Rogers makes permanent move". Charlton Athletic Football Club. 12 July 2023.
- "Hannah Hampton to depart Villa Women". Aston Villa Football Club. 15 June 2023.
- "Chelsea sign England international Hampton". Chelsea Football Club. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- "Villa defender Sargeant retires aged 29". BBC Sport.
- "Mary McAteer signs for SAFC Women". Sunderland Association Football Club. 4 July 2023.
- "Olivia Rabjohn returns to Albion Women". www.wba.co.uk.
- "Blindkilde Brown completes transfer to Manchester City". Aston Villa Football Club. 31 January 2024.
- "Freya Gregory joins Reading FC Women on season-long loan". Reading FC. 14 September 2023.
- "Three depart Women's First Team". Reading FC. 4 January 2024.
- "Villa confirm Olivia McLoughlin loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 17 January 2024.
- "Villa stay in League Cup despite ineligible player". BBC Sport.
| 2023–24 in English women's football | |||||||||
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| « 2022–23 2024–25 » | |||||||||
| National teams | |||||||||
| League competitions |
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| Cup competitions | |||||||||
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