Aston Villa have confirmed head coach Robert de Pauw has left the club after just six months in charge of the Women's Super League side. 

De Pauw was appointed in June after Carla Ward stepped down from her role at the end of last season but has struggled for results since arriving in the West Midlands. 

The Villans are ninth in the WSL after managing just one win from their opening nine games, with the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal last Sunday their fifth loss of the campaign. 

In that match at the Emirates, Villa had seven shots, though none were on target, compared to the Gunners' nine from their 17 attempts, which has been the story of their season. 

During De Pauw's short tenure, only Tottenham (22) and bottom club Crystal Palace (25) have conceded more goals than Villa (17) in the division so far this term. 

But they have also struggled at the other end, with only nine goals scored this season. Only Palace (eight), Everton (four) and Leicester City (two) have netted fewer. 

The club confirmed Shaun Goater will take charge on an interim basis until a new manager is appointed.

Goater's first game as interim manager will be a Women's League Cup match against Charlton Athletic on Wednesday.