Robert de Pauw: Aston Villa boss is aware that clubs ‘cut off the coach’s head’ if results are bad

Aston Villa manager Robert de Pauw said he knows clubs “cut off the coach’s head” if results don’t meet expectations.

De Pauw, who was appointed in June after Carla Ward resigned at the end of last season, is still searching for her first Women’s Super League (WSL) win.

Villa are 10th in the table with two points after six games, their worst start to a WSL campaign.

“It’s also football and a performance-oriented company. So yes, the coach’s head was cut off,” De Pauw said.

The Dutchman has only managed one competitive win (a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Women’s League Cup) during his seven games in charge of Villa.

However, his team has pushed defending champions Chelsea and leaders Manchester City in the league, losing both matches by just one goal.

“If performance goes down and results don’t come, you know what happens,” De Pauw added.

“I try not to get attached to that because I know I can look in the mirror and the staff can look in the mirror, and we do everything we can about it.

“We know we work hard and spare no effort before every game.”

De Pauw, who is new to the league after leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season, said he has spoken to experienced players such as Jordan Nobbs about the difficulties of the WSL.

“I talk to them a lot because they know this league better than most.

“Jordan knows it better than anyone and says it will happen. So I’m also confident it will happen, but it has to come soon.”

Villa will hope to end their winless streak on Sunday when they travel to Manchester United, who are unbeaten in the league this season.

“That’s the next step we have to take, to take something out of the game and not just rattle the cage, but bring it home and bring the points home,” De Pauw said.