Carla Ward stays on Aston Villa’s bench and will lead the Villans at least until June 2025, with an option for an additional year.
The 39-year-old took charge in Aston Villa in 2021 after previously managinig Villa’s city rivals, Birmingham, and Sheffield United. She led the club to the 9th place finish in the last season and did even better in the current season, when Villa will finish fifth. Ward also won WSL’s Manager of the Month award on three occasions this season, while also being nominated for Manager of the Season.
“This is tremendous news for Carla and the club. We have continued to see substantial improvement in the team under her leadership, both individually and collectively, and this contract extension will allow her to continue progressing and building on our strategy to try to develop young players while putting Aston Villa at the heart of the women’s game in England at this exciting time,” said Lee Billiard, Head of Women’s Football.