De Pauw aware clubs 'cut the head off the manager'

Aston Villa boss Robert de Pauw said he knows clubs "cut off the head of the manager" if results do not meet expectations.

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

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

"It's also football and a performance-driven company. So yeah, they cut off the head of the manager," De Pauw said.

The Dutchman has overseen just one competitive win - a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace the Women's League Cup - during his seven games in charge at Villa.

However, his side have pushed reigning champions Chelsea and leaders Manchester City close in the league, losing both games by just one goal.

"If the performance drops and the results don't come, then you know what happens," De Pauw added.

"I try to stay unattached to that because I know I can look myself in the mirror and the staff can look themselves in the mirror, that we do everything about it.

"We know we work hard and we leave no stone unturned 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 like Jordan Nobbs about the difficulties of the WSL.

"I speak a lot with them because they know this league better than than most.

"Jordan knows it better than everybody, and she says it will come. So I trust also that it will come, but it has to come soon."

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

"That's the next step we have got to take, to take something from the game and not only rattle the cage, but bring the cage home and bring the points home," De Pauw said.