Match preview: Players Cup campaign begins at Forest

FixturesNottingham Forest Ladies Vs. Aston Villa Women - Wed, Sep 23 2026, 19:00Aston Villa Women get their 2026/27 Subway Players Cup campaign under way this week when they travel to face Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. Natalia Arroyo's side claimed another away league point with a battling draw at Brighton last time out. Defender Lynn Wilms produced a stunning Olimpico goal direct from a corner in the 89th minute to snatch a share of the spoils in Sussex. The Villans are hitting the road once more to visit The City Ground this midweek as they step into League Cup action for the first time this season.New season, new format The Women's League Cup enters a new era this term. Now with a new name and a new league phase format, the 'Subway Players Cup' guarantees increased playing opportunities for teams not involved in European competition. Clubs will compete in regionalised sections before the knockout stages, with Villa drawn in the Northern section. Natalia Arroyo's side will play six matches, three at home and three away, in the following order: Nottingham Forest (A) - 7pm, Wednesday 23 September Newcastle United (H) - 7:30pm, Wednesday 30 September Burnley (A) - 7pm, Wednesday 21 October Birmingham City (H) - 7:30pm, Wednesday 28 October Liverpool (A) - 7pm, Wednesday 11 November Sheffield United (H) - 7pm, Wednesday, 16 December Villa's three home games will take place at Keys Park, Hednesdford, with fans encouraged to come down and enjoy some exciting cup football under the lights at our new secondary home. BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW Up Next: Nottingham ForestSecond tier Nottingham Forest come into this first Subway Players Cup game of the season full of confidence having picked up their first BWSL2 win this past weekend. The Reds came from behind to beat Durham 2-1 away from home thanks to goals from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and captain Georgia Brougham. That result means that head coach Tom Mallinson remains unbeaten since taking charge in June, drawing twice and winning once across his opening three games in the dugout. Tickets for our league cup clash on the Trent will be available to purchase until shortly before kick-off, with the Nottingham Forest ticket office open in person on Wednesday between 5pm-7:45pm for on-the-day sales. The ticket office is located next to the Forest club shop on Pavilion Road. Click here for more information What Do The Stats Say? Villa registered the highest goals per game ratio of any team in last season's League Cup (4.7), scoring six goals and conceding three times across their three Group Stage matches Midfielder Lucia Kendall was Villa's top scorer in the competition last term, netting twice across three appearances Villa had five different goalscorers across their three League Cup games in 2025/26 - Lucia Kendall, Anna Patten, Georgia Mullett, Chasity Grant and Ebony Salmon Rewind: Mullett Scores First Senior Villa GoalOur 2025/26 League Cup campaign will be fondly remembered for bringing up a major career milestone for young Villans striker Georgia Mullett. The academy graduate netted her first senior goal in claret and blue, the team's second on the day, in a 3-0 win at Bristol City on matchday one of Group E. 18-year-old Mullett charged through the middle to latch onto a through ball from Chasity Grant, shrugging off two defenders before calmly slotting into the bottom corner with the outside of her right foot. Team NewsThere is just one change to the Aston Villa Women squad that drew 1-1 with Brighton in the WSL on Sunday afternoon, with academy midfielder Immy Seymour joining the group for our trip to Nottingham. As per the Player availability update: Brighton published on Saturday, 20th September, Rofiat Imuran, Oriane Jean-François, Missy Bo Kearns, Jill Baijings, Rachel Daly, Kamilla Melgård, Ellie Roebuck and Lily Clark remain unavailable for selection.