Former Mancheser City legend keen on Aston Villa job

The former Mancheser City striker is currently in charge of Aston Villa Women, but stressed it was a “game by game” situation at the moment.

Having arrived at Villa last summer as an assistant to new manager Robert De Pauw, Goater then stepped into the interim role after the the Dutchman departed in December.

The team have subsequently won three times in as many matches in all competitions, beating Championship side Charlton 4-1 in the League Cup, West Ham 3-1 in the Women’s Super League and then – after the winter break – fourth-tier Bristol Rovers 9-0 in the FA Cup last weekend.Villa, who are seventh in the table, resume their WSL campaign against Everton at Walton Hall Park on Saturday and at his pre-match press conference, Goater said: “It’s been refreshing. 

It’s enjoyable.“It’s a privilege to have this opportunity in terms of being interim. I couldn’t compliment the support team enough because they have been absolutely brilliant.”

Asked if he had any idea how long the interim stint was likely to last, he said: “This situation really is game by game. Each game, because we’re doing well, obviously we’re enjoying it – I’ll enjoy it no matter what the case was.“

We look forward to Everton and putting on a good performance.”When then asked if the permanent job was something he would like, the former Manchester City forward said: “Certainly, yes. At the same time, it’s a game by game.“

The players are excited, confident, smiles on their faces and that’s the most important thing, that we get the players playing the Villa way, enjoying their football and looking to produce good performances and results.”

Villa have Missy Bo Kearns, Lucy Staniforth and Rachel Corsie unavailable due to injury, but Katie Robinson, Lucy Parker and Maz Pacheco have been back in training after issues and Kenza Dali is to undergo a fitness test.Everton – who sit two places below Villa with the same amount of points – finished 2024 in style, beating Manchester City 2-1 at home, before their FA Cup game against Tottenham was postponed.

They have had five new signings come in this month, with Kelly Gago and Hayley Ladd arriving on permanent deals and Martina Fernandez, Emma Watson and Louna Ribadeira joining on loan.Boss Brian Sorensen was quoted by the team’s X account as saying: “I had good talks with The Friedkin Group (the club’s new owners) and they’re very positive about the women’s programme, so I think we’ll see even more changes going forward.“

The new players coming in is what we needed, in terms of the depth of the squad and having that quality available. Now we have a much better squad who can deliver that consistency.”