Villans heading off on international duty

No fewer than 16 Aston Villa Women first team players have been selected to represent their countries in the upcoming international window.

Many will be competing in crucial qualifying fixtures for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup next summer, while others will be taking part in friendly fixtures.

You can read a run down of which Villans are playing, when they will be playing and which teams they will be up against below...

England

Midfielder Lucia Kendall will be looking to continue her sparkling recent form when she joins up with England for their crucial World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece.

The Lionesses head to Amoudara for the first leg on Friday 9 October, 5:30pm, before hosting the return fixture at King Power Stadium in Leicester on Tuesday 13 October (ko 7:30pm).

England U23's

Meanwhile Villa duo Georgia Mullett and Lily Murphy have been selected to join the Lionesses U23 squad as they begin the defence of their U23 European competition title.

The competition was introduced to bridge the gap between the end of the youth pathway and senior football, reigning champions England drawn against Norway, Belgium, Portugal and Italy in group B.

Their campaign kicks off against Norway in York on Monday 12 October (ko 7:30pm).

England U19

Another Villan representing the Three Lionesses this international window is 17-year-old Katie Scott, who received her first call up to the U19 set up after captaining the side at the U17 Euros this past summer.

It's a busy two weeks ahead for the U19s, who travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina for three games in UEFA U19 European qualifying. 

First up in group A5 is a meeting with Denmark on Wednesday 7 October (12pm), before they face Switzerland on Saturday 10 October (12pm). They finish up by taking on hosts Bosnia & Herzegovina on Tuesday 13 October (12pm). 

Republic of Ireland

Villa team captain Anna Patten is due in action with the Republic of Ireland as they go head to head with Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of European Women's World Cup qualification.

The girls in green head to Astana for the first leg on Friday 9 October (12pm), before hosting the return tie in Cork on Tuesday 13 October (7:30pm).

Scotland

Villa pair Miri Taylor and Mia McAulay have been selected for Scotland as they prepare for their European Women's World Cup qualification semi-final against Czechia. 

The first clash takes place Friday 9 September (6:00pm), with the second four days later on Tuesday 13 September (7:00pm) in Paisley. 

Wales

On the agenda for goalkeeper Soffia Kelly and Wales is a European Women's World Cup qualification semi-final against Albania. 

They travel to Shkodër on Friday 9 October (5:00pm) before hosting the second leg in Llanelli Tuesday 13 October (7:15pm)

Norway

Two more Villans in World Cup qualifying play-off action are Mathilde Harviken and Justine Kielland.

Norway face a two-legged tie against Romania, with the first leg in Bucharest on Friday 9 October (7:00pm), and the second in Oslo on Tuesday 13 October (5:00pm).

Netherlands

Dutch duo Lynn Wilms and Chasity Grant will be on duty for the Netherlands during the break. 

The Oranje Leuwinnen face Hungary in their two-legged World Cup qualifying play-off, playing away in Felcsút on Friday 9 October (7:00pm), before hosting the return in Tilburg on Tuesday 13 October (7:45pm).

Japan

Akane Okuma and Maya Hijikata will link up with Japan for two friendly outings over the next week.

They will take on Haiti on Friday 9 October (6:00pm) in Paris, before heading to Bremen to face Germany on Tuesday 13 October (3:45pm). 

Denmark

Two friendly matches against Canada are on the agenda for Amalie Vangsgaard and her Denmark team-mates this international break.

Montreal will stage the first encounter on Friday 9 September (12:00am), while the second meeting is set for Toronto on Monday 12 September (12:00am).

Switzerland

Having signed off the first part of the season against Crystal Palace with her first Villa goal, Noelle Maritz will be on duty for Switzerland.

La Nati travel to face Israel in Mezőkövesd, Hungary on Friday 9 September 5.30pm, before hosting the second meeting four days later on Tuesday 13 September 5.30pm in Sion.

*All kick-off times listed in BST