With WSL safety ensured, Natalia Arroyo sets sights on Arsenal challenge | OneFootball

Natalia Arroyo has entered Aston Villa and done what was asked of her. The AVWFC boss has her side clear of the drop-down. Arsenal will present a challenge on Wednesday, but even with a loss, there is a seven-point gap between them and Crystal Palace.

The security of their WSL position was that much more enhanced following Palace's lopsided loss to West Ham. Their 7-1 defeat on Sunday didn't offer too much optimism that they would have been able to pull off a strong run of results. Either way, that Hammers loss meant that their relegation would be assured.

Villa can now comfortably approach their remaining fixtures, knowing they will stay in England's top division for 2025-2026. For Arroyo, security will not change the overall objective of her approach for the end of April and May. Her aim has been to improve the quality of play and ensure that Villa can compete moving forward.

Naturally, the more immediate goal was to earn enough points to remain in the WSL. Her emphasis was always on improving the team's approach and being able to close the gap with some of the top sides in the league. That chance will come against the Gunners.

While Villa have played well against Tottenham and Liverpool, this next WSL fixture will be something of a different test. Without pressure, but about to face a difficult opponent, AVWFC can further show how much they've progressed since the beginning of the year.

Looking ahead, difficult set of matches ahead

The match after that will be against West Ham, who provided the sealing result needed for Villa to avoid the drop-down. Against Palace, the Hammers very easily marched through the midfield and repeatedly gave themselves a lot of chances, as evidenced by the final score.

That game will provide a good litmus test, comparing how Villa does against a like opponent. While two encounters will never be exactly the same, showing that this side can complete and potentially get a result against someone the league's bottom dweller mightily struggled against would be another strong indication that Arroyo has this team on the correct upward path.