Non-league club strike 'landmark' deal to host Aston Villa Women fixtures

Villa Women have agreed a deal to play cup matches at Hednesford Town this season.

The non-league club’s Keys Park home will serve as the secondary venue for matches in the Women’s FA Cup and Subway Players Cup, depending on competition draws and scheduling.

They will continue to play all Women’s Super League matches at Villa Park.

Keys Park replaced Walsall FC’s Pallet Track Bescot Stadium as the club’s second home venue.

The ground, which has a capacity of around 6,000, has undergone considerable redevelopment in recent years which included the installation of a state-of-the-art hybrid playing surface.

Hednesford chief executive Marvin Robinson said: "We are immensely proud to welcome Aston Villa Women to Keys Park as their second home for the 2026/27 season.

“This is a landmark agreement for Hednesford Town and a powerful endorsement of the standard of our stadium, our new hybrid playing surface and the sustained investment and ambition driving the Club forward.

"Bringing elite women’s football to Hednesford further establishes Keys Park as a leading regional venue, creates a major opportunity for our supporters and wider community, and gives girls and young women the chance to see elite players compete on their doorstep.”

Villa Women managing director, Maggie Murphy, added: "The ongoing investment in facilities on and off the pitch at Hednesford is impressive.

“Villa Park remains the home of Aston Villa Women, but we’re excited to set up our second home at Keys Park.”

Villa say coach travel between Villa Park and Keys Park, together with a shuttle service from Hednesford railway station, will be made available on matchdays if there is sufficient demand.

The team will make their Keys Park bow on August 30 when they host West Ham in a pre-season friendly.