Former Aston Villa W.F.C teammates announce pregnancy

Professional footballer, current Aston Villa W.F.C. striker and former England Lioness player, Rachel Daly, and former Aston Villa teammate, Sutton Coldfield-born professional footballer, and current Leicester City defender, Sarah Mayling have announced that they are expecting a baby. Sharing the news on social media, the couple revealed that ‘Baby Daly’ would be expected in March 2027.

Daly and Mayling, whose time playing for Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League overlapped between the years of 2022 and 2025, got engaged in November 2025. The pair, who are reportedly now married, announced the new milestone in their relationship in a sweet post to followers.

The couple no longer share the pitch after Mayling left Aston Villa for Leicester City on loan in January 2026, before transferring on a permanent deal this summer. Daly though remains as a striker for Villa, a club with which she became the WSL Golden Boot winner in her first season.

Daly and Mayling’s baby announcement also coincide with another Midlands-born player. Millie Bright, born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire shared the pitch as a Lioness with Rachel Daly when they were both members of the England Squad. The two former England players, who become best friends and now host a podcast ‘The Rest Is Football: Daly Brightness’ together are both expecting babies in Spring next year. Celebrating Daly and Mayling’s news, Bright wrote that they “Bestied so hard we are having babies at the same time.”  

Adding: "I cannot tell you how happy I am for you proud. Over the moon.”