Final Pre-Season Friendly
Union's Big Test Against Aston Villa
One week before the Bundesliga premiere, 1. FC Union Berlin's women's team will face one final test when they meet against English first division side Aston Villa. Kick off on Saturday, 30.08.2025, at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium in Walsall is at 12:30 (UK time)
The lie of the land
Villa against Union is the final firendly for th hosts as well as the guests, before their respective leagues start next weekend. The midlands side began their pre-season in mid-July and they have so far played four friendlies. After a home loss to Manchester United (2-0), they beat Liverpool 5-1 and most recently played out two 1-1 draws against Paris Saint-Germain and Leicester City.
Union, meanwhile, have played three friendlies so far. Following victories against Pogon Sczeczin (3-2) and VfL Wolfsburg (2-0), they lost 3-1two weeks ago against the Spanish runners-up Real Madrid.
Aston Villa finished sixth in the Women’s Super League last season, the English top flight. In the WSL since 2020, Villa have been an established presence in mid-table. Their best finish came in the 2022/23 season when they came fifth.
Aston Villa hosted all eleven home matches at their home ground, Villa Park, for the first time last season, with an average attendance of 3,420 spectators. Those fans were able to witness an impressive run, seeing them win all their last five league games. Among other highlights, on matchday 20, they achieved a resounding 5-2 home victory over the eventual Champions League winners Arsenal. This was a resiounding turnaround in form, as Villa had lost their first six matches after Christmas.
For the new season, Spanish coach Natalia Arroyo's side - the highly rated trainer has been in charge since the beginning of the year - has been strengthened with new signings from the Bundesliga. Dutch players Lynn Wilms and Jill Baijings moved from Wolfsburg and Bayern München, respectively. Additionally, goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck, a European Champion with the English national team in 2022, was signed from FC Barcelona. However, the most prominent player in the squad is forward Rachel Daly, the team's top scorer last season with eight goals. The 33-year-old has played 84 international matches for England, and became the Super League's top scorer in her debut season with Villa 2022/23, scoring 22 goals in 22 matches.
Head coach Ailien Poese will have to do without Hannah Eurlings, Leonie Köster, Judith Steinert, Sophie Weidauer, and Antonia Halverkamps for the match on Saturday.
“In Aston Villa, we are facing a very aggressive opponent that have played a good role in the English Women’s Super League," said Union's head coach, Ailien Poese ahead of Union's women's first ever trip to England. "We want to be intense defensively, but also generate phases of ball possession for ourselves and create goal-scoring opportunities from that. We are looking forward to the this international friendly to get into optimal preparation for the league opener.”
The match will kick off at 12:30 (13:30 German time) at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium in Walsall. Tickets for the away game are available through the Aston Villa ticket shop.
