Match preview: Hosting Newcastle in the Players Cup

FixturesAston Villa Women Vs. Newcastle United Ladies - Wed, Sep 30 2026, 19:30Aston Villa Women continue their 2026/27 Players Cup campaign on Wednesday night when they welcome Newcastle United to Keys Park. The Villans will be looking to pick up where they left off in the competition after beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 on matchday one. Goals from second half substitutes Maya Hijikata and Chasity Grant secured a winning start at the City Ground. Attentions are now focused on making it two wins from two when the Magpies come to Hednesford this midweek.ICYMI: New season, new format In case you missed it, the Women's League Cup has entered a new era. From this season it is called the 'Subway Players Cup' and operates in a swiss-style league format before advancing into a traditional knockout stage, with the winners to be crowned in the final in March. Villa Women will play their six League Phase matches in the following order: W - 2-0 Nottingham Forest - Wednesday 23 September, The City Ground 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 Our 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. Up Next: Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United are flying high at the top of the WSL2 table after winning all four of their games so far in 2026/27. They began with a 2-0 home win against Wolves on the opening day, before beating Bristol City 1-0 away, Sheffield United 4-1 at home, and Leicester City 4-0 at home this past weekend. Led by experienced manager Tanya Oxtoby, Wednesday night's meeting will be the Magpies' first outing in the new Players Cup. Home and away supporters will be able to buy tickets on the day from the Hednesford Town Ticket Office. The Ticket Office is located in the Main Stand at Keys Park Stadium, and will be open from 6pm until shortly before kick-off. What Do The Stats Say? Aston Villa have a 100% winning record against Newcastle United in competitive meetings - winning 5-1 at home, and 3-1 away in the 2010/11 FA Women's Premier League Northern Division Villa midfielder Maya Hijikata's goal against Nottingham Forest on matchday one was her first in claret and blue Villa keeper Akane Okuma also claimed her first clean sheet in Villa colours in Nottingham Villa sit fourth in the Players Cup League Phase standings after winning at the City Ground on opening night Rewind: Collecting our first win of 2026/27 in NottinghamTeam News 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.