Aston Villa have announced the 13 players they have retained for the 2020/21 Women’s Super League season.
The Birmingham side were promoted as champions of the FA Women’s Championship after the season was decided on a points per game basis. Gemma Davies’ side didn’t lose a single league match throughout the 19/20 season and only failed to win once, drawing against second-place Durham.
Sticking around
Among the list of retained players is local winger Jodie Hutton. Ever since exploding onto the scene in the 2018/19 season, she has been held in high regard by Villa. She formed a key part of Gemma Davies’ lethal attack in the Championship and will continue to in the WSL next season.
Another member of the list is fellow winger Emma Follis. The pacey winger proved popular following her return to Villa last summer after leaving local rivals Birmingham City to link back up with the team she has supported since being a child. Follis proved to be devastating on the opposite wing to Hutton and will continue in that role next season.
The full retained list is:
- Asmita Ale
- Elisha N’Dow
- Jodie Hutton
- Amy West
- Shania Hayles
- Emma Follis
- Sian Rogers
- Nat Haigh
- Ella Franklin
- Nadine Hanssen
- Sophie Haywood
- Emily Syme
- Marisa Ewers
Easy come, easy go
Among those previously confirmed to be leaving the club is Austrian international Sophie Maierhofer. She arrived at Villa Park in January with a fair amount of hype and excitement but could only play a handful of games before the season was suspended. Maierhofer was seen as a signing to prepare for life in the top tier, but she won’t get the chance to fulfil that in claret and blue.
Other players departing include captain Jade Richards and top scorer Mel Johnson. The latter in particular was a popular player among the Villa faithful and will prove to be a big gap to fill for Gemma Davies. Despite this, the manager remains excited for the coming season:
“With the players we’ve retained, we have the foundations for an excited, dedicated and talented squad.”