Aston Villa wear controversial 'wet-look' shirts in WSL opener after decision

01 October 2023 , 11:51

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Players, officials and fans take part in a minutes silence in memory of Maddy Cusack prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park (Image: Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Aston Villa Women wore their Castore home kit for WSL opening game with Manchester United Women on Sunday despite ongoing concerns.

The Villa home kit has become an ongoing source of consternation amongst players and fans due to the shirt's tendency to retain sweat, making movements difficult as the match progresses and clinging uncomfortably to the players' bodies. Talks have been held over cancelling the multi-year contract between the club and kit supplier Castore.

Castore say they have been made aware of Villa's complaints and have promised to act swiftly to resolve the issue after concerns were raised earlier this week that the kit would be especially uncomfortable for Carla Ward's women's side, who were said to be 'dreading' playing in the shirt in their Women's Super League opener at home to Man Utd on Sunday.

Ward's players have worn the strip for five of their six pre-season friendlies. They were given the choice of wearing their home or away strip for the visit of Man Utd, but opted to remain in the sweat-heavy kit. Ahead of the match, Ward said: "I think we have similar concerns as to what the men have. It was highlighted early in the pre-season from the men's side and backed up by the women.

"But as far as I am concerned, it's over to the club and Castore to deal with it, my focus has to be the weekend and making sure the players are focused on that.

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"One thing I will say is the club has been absolutely superb in these last few days. There's been a constant communication of how can we help the players and make them feel better."

Aston Villa players, including Rachel Daly and Alisha Lehmann, remember Maddy Cusack (PA)

Unai Emery's men wore the kit on Saturday as they thrashed Brighton & Hove Albion 6-1 in the Premier League, with John McGinn quipping that the controversial shirts were "still heavy".

New Villa signings Daphne van Domselaar and Lucy Parker made their WSL debuts, as Man Utd manager Marc Skinner gave WSL debuts to new signings Geyse and Gabby George. Ward's side are bidding to go one better than their fifth-place finish last season and gate crash the league's established top four.

Players from both sides took part in a minutes silence in memory of Maddy Cusack ahead of kickoff.

Megan Feringa