It has been an action-packed summer for Carla Ward’s Aston Villa Women, on the back of their hugely successful 2022/23 term that saw the side achieve a fifth place finish in the Barclays Women’s Super League and reach a semi-final – in the FA Cup – for the first time in the club’s history.
A number of players have left the club since the conclusion of last season and there have been a handful new arrivals to look forward to ahead of the upcoming 2023/24 campaign. This, alongside all the drama of the recent 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia & New Zealand – which saw several Villans in action – and an intense pre-season, means there is plenty to update you on before the season opener against Mark Skinner’s Manchester United next month.
Words by: Liam Davies
TRANSFERS
INCOMINGS
Carla Ward has welcomed five new faces to the Aston Villa Women squad over the summer and have permanently signed two of last year’s successful loanees too.
Winger Kirsty Hanson, who registered an impressive seven goals and nine assists in Aston Villa colours in the WSL last year, made the switch from Manchester United on a two-year-deal with the option for an additional year, whilst centre-back Anna Patten, who featured 25 times for the club across all competitions during the previous campaign, arrives from Arsenal on a three-year deal.
Carla Ward expressed her delight on the pair making the moves permanent and feels they’ll both be key for Villa again in the upcoming season. On Hanson, she said: “This is a huge one for us and the fans.
“We all know how important Kirsty was to us last season… we’re delighted to now welcome her back and call Aston Villa her permanent home.”
On Patten, Ward said: “This is a huge signing for us. Patsy has had two successful loan spells and has already played a big part in our journey so far. We’re delighted she’s enjoyed her time here and wants to continue, as we see her playing a significant part in our next steps.”
Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar was the first new face through the door, joining on a free from Eredivisie side FC Twente mid-way through June to replace the departing Hannah Hampton who made the switch to WSL champions Chelsea. Villa’s new number one made over 75 appearances across a six year spell for her former employers and has been a regular for the Dutch national team since making her debut for the Oranje in February 2022.
On her new shot-stopper, Carla Ward said: “Daphne is someone we’ve tracked for a long time. We knew we had real competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs so we’re delighted she’s chosen to continue her development with us.
“She’s a player who comes with great pedigree and potential to be one of the world’s best.”
Following van Domselaar was defender Lucy Parker who joins from fellow WSL outfit West Ham United on a two-year deal with the option of a third. Parker, who has spent the last two seasons with the Hammers, notching well over 30 appearances, cannot wait to get started at her new club.
On her recent move to the West-Midlands, Parker said: “It feels really good and I’m excited for the challenge. The biggest thing for me was the ambition of the club. I’m looking to take that next step in my career and the club fit perfectly.”
Young goalkeeper Sophia Poor, who arrives from Leicester City, followed Parker through the door. The 17-year-old shot-stopper is expected to operate as an understudy for both van Domselaar and Anna Leat.
The two latest signings are offensive players, looking to bolster Carla Ward’s attacking options this season. Last week, Ebony Salmon re-joined the club on a three-year contract, having spent her youth career in claret and blue back in 2017/18. The English forward, who has four international caps to her name, arrives from NWSL side Houston Dash, having previously spent time at Manchester United, Sheffield United, Bristol City and Racing Louisville too.
On Salmon, manager Carla Ward said: “Ebony is someone I’ve worked with before and is someone with huge potential.
“She’s got pace, power and the ability to change a game. She’s a player who will add even more competition to our front-line and will be a great addition to the group.”
Canadian winger Adriana Leon is the latest arrival, signing on a two-year deal. The 30-year-old has spent the majority of her career in the USA, but has enjoyed spells at both Manchester United and West Ham United in recent years. Leon has played over 90 times for her nation and is an Olympic Gold medalist too.
On her most recent signing, Carla Ward said: “Adriana is someone we’ve monitored over the last 18 months and is someone who has displayed great pedigree in the Barclays WSL.
“She can play off both sides and will add another dimension to our evolving group. We’re delighted she’s committed her future to us and we’re all looking forward to working with her.”
OUTGOINGS
A total of 12 players have departed the club over the course of the summer. Remi Allen (Birmingham City), Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (London City Lionesses), Emily Gielnik (N/A), Natasha Harding (N/A), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses) and Evie Rabjohn (Manchester United) all left at the end of May on a free, whilst defender Elisha N’Dow and ‘keeper Sian Rogers both joined Charlton Athletic on June 1st following the expiration of their contracts.
Hannah Hampton, who has been the club’s number one goalkeeper for the past two years, is another notable name leaving the club, having made the switch to West-London to join Emma Hayes’ Chelsea. The 22-year-old England international will compete with Sweden’s Zećira Mušović for the starting spot between the sticks for the Blues next season.
Elsewhere, defender Meaghan Sargeant retired at the age of 29, and midfielders Mary McAteer (Sunderland) and Olivia Rabjohn (West Bromwich Albion) – sister of Evie – both sealed moves away from the club at the beginning of July. 20 year-old winger Freya Gregory joined Reading on a season-long loan on deadline day too.
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2023 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
There were a number of Villans in action at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia & New Zealand this summer. Two members of Carla Ward’s Aston Villa were called up to the Lionesses squad; striker Rachel Daly and midfielder Jordan Nobbs.
Last season’s WSL top goal scorer and player of the season, Rachel Daly, featured in each of England’s seven matches in the tournament, starting six, including the final in Sydney. Villa’s number nine played at left-back for the majority of the competition but did manage to get on the score-sheet in the 6-1 thrashing of China in the final group stage game, also converting her penalty in the shootout against Nigeria in the round of 16. Nobbs was an unused substitute for the entire tournament. Sadly, the pair’s World Cup journey ended in misery after losing to Spain by a goal to nil in the final.
New goalkeeper Daphne vam Domselaar was another Villan in action down-under. The 23-year-old, who has been called up for the upcoming international fixtures later this month, started all five of Netherland’s World Cup fixtures, where she kept three clean sheets and impressed throughout. Sadly, Daphne’s side exited the tournament in the quarter-final stage, losing to eventual winners Spain in extra-time.
Van Domselaar has recently been announced as a Ballon d’Or nominee, following her performances for FC Twente and her national side last season. Likewise, Rachel Daly is up for the award after last year’s excellence in claret and blue.
Fellow ‘keeper Anna Leat was also at the World Cup, representing host nation New Zealand. Leat, sadly was unused throughout the competition, with Rangers’ Victoria Essen selected ahead of the 22-year-old. New Zealand narrowly crashed out on goal difference in the group stages.
Alisha Lehmann played just 41 minutes of Switzerland’s campaign, making substitute appearances against the Philippines and New Zealand in Group A. Like Leat, Lehmann’s time at the World Cup was cut short at the hands of Spain, who defeated La Nati by five goals to one in the round of 16.
Midfielder Kenza Dali wad heavily involved for her nation, France, during the tournament, and featured in all but one of Les Bleues’ games. The play-maker scored in the 4-0 rout over Morocco in the round of 16 but sadly missed her penalty during the quarter-final shootout with hosts Australia, and that was the end of the road for Dali and her side.
New arrival Adriana Leon was in action in Group B for Canada, and scored the decisive goal in the second game to defeat Ireland by two goals to one. Unfortunately, this result wouldn’t be enough for Leon and The Canucks, and they would leave the tournament at the group stage round.
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PRE-SEASON
Aston Villa have five fixtures over the course of pre-season as a part of their preparation for another big season in the WSL. Carla Ward’s side have already played four of those five games, with one more to come later this month before their 2023/24 campaign gets under way on October 1st against The Red Devils at Villa Park.
The pre-season schedule began at Bodymoor Heath with a behind-closed-doors friendly against FA Women’s Championship side Southampton in August. The game finished 2-1 to the south-coast visitors, despite Lucy Parker’s fourth minute header giving the hosts the lead. Katie Wilkinson and Lucia Kendell were the Saints’ scorers.
Next up was a trip to North-London to face Robert Vilahamn’s Tottenham Hotspur. This game finished 0-0 but once again provided an opportunity for both first-team regulars and youngsters to gain valuable minutes and experience ahead of the upcoming season.
The Villans then travelled to Eastern-Spain for a warm weather camp, where they faced up against Liga F side Villarreal CF at the Olímpic Camilo Cano. The game finished 3-3 after 90 minutes in a contest that saw Carla Ward’s team come from 2-0 down to 3-2 up before the Spanish opposition levelled it back up again. Simone Magill, Georgia Mullet and Sarah Mayling were all on the score-sheet for Villa, with Kanteh Cham, Raquel Morcillo and Yenifer Gimenez striking for the hosts.
Villa reportedly played the recently promoted and 2022/23 Championship winners Bristol City in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday, and will play their final game of pre-season this weekend when the West-Midlands side take on Brian Sørensen’s Everton at Bodymoor.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Overall, the summer has been a positive one for Carla Ward and her side. The business, on the face of it, appears to be really shrewd and it is clear that the club is going in the right direction. There have been a number of improvements made and there is now quality in depth which will help the team push on and build upon last season’s success.
Manager Carla Ward has previewed the upcoming campaign and is looking for her side to continue striving forwards, explaining that the group ‘want more’.
She said: “There’s so much more we can do, there’s so much more we can improve on, there’s certain areas we can build on, both on and off the pitch – I think that’s really important.
“We have to continue to build infrastructure, we have to continue to improve the squad, we have to continue with all those pieces because if one of those doesn’t continue to grow, the project doesn’t.
“It was a good season – I’ve said that loudly to the staff – but we want more and we want to continue to grow. Finishing fifth was great but you don’t stay there without an unbelievable amount of work and improvements. I think if we can do that, we’ll put ourselves in a good position to try and achieve in a similar way to last season.”
Can Aston Villa continue to improve by breaking the mould of the ‘traditional top four’ in the Women’s Super League? Can they also go one better in the cup and reach a final – possibly winning silverware? The upcoming campaign is perfectly poised and is looking to be another exciting one for Ward and her side… you won’t want to miss it!
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