Aston Villa Women 2019/2020
Players
Breakdown
Sian Rogers – Goalkeeper
2019/20 Appearances – 17
The ever presence in the Aston Villa goal, as we’ve known for many years now. We are blessed with having one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship. Not only on the pitch but off it is also such a great representative and role model to where and fly the badge. A bit of a quieter season than the one before for Sian between the sticks for Aston Villa this time but it shows her concentration, many games Villa have won by the odd goal and many saves throughout the seasons in those games to keep out the opposition attackers.
Charlotte Greengrass – Defender
2019/20 Appearances – 7
2019/20 Goals – 1
Charlotte joined Aston Villa Women from Leicester City this season coming in as a young and highly touted player. Injury has played and stinted her first season at Aston Villa but in the moments we have seen, you can tell that Charlotte is a defender that has strength and reads the game really well. Her goal against Blackburn Rovers was a sight to behold and will no doubt be one of the goals of the season. No doubt when Charlotte gets to play more than the 7 games she has so far she will grow and continue to influence her Aston Villa career.
Asmita Ale – Defender
2019/20 Appearances – 18
We have seen Asmita come into Aston Villa Women through the RTC and hit the ground running as she has grew into in my opinion the greatest young English talent. Signing her first professional contract, pulling 9/10 performances each and every game. Representing England on the international stage at youth level. We truly are lucky to have a player like Asmita in our team. We are blessed at Aston Villa Women, again in my opinion to have the two best wing backs in the Championship. But Asmita is also so diverse in her play as we have seen her step into CB and not look phased by it at all.
Ella Franklin-Fraiture – Defender
2019/20 Appearances – 8
Ella joined Aston Villa Women from Leicester City like Charlotte Greengrass and after coming in as Leicester City’s player of the season (even with a broken collarbone, and a promise by Ellen Martin she was fantastic) She had alot to live up to walking into the team. But from whistle one she hit the ground running like Roadrunner as she went up and down the wing with ease, stopping an attack and creating one up the other end of the pitch. A last minute injury against Durham meant Ella has been fighting her way back from injury but up until that point for me was our Player Of The Season. I personally can’t wait till Ella returns into our defences.
Elisha N’Dow – Defender
2019/20 Appearances – 19
Boom Pow Elisha N’Dow, One of the most consistent players over the last couple of years. You don’t feel in any danger when you see the ball coming into Aston Villa’s final third as even at 40/60 you will still feel that Elisha N’Dow has a chance to win it back. Most of the time she does win it back as well. A real old school defender but not only will she make sure she wins the ball back but she can turn defence into attack. Her direct runs from the back will see the opposition finding it hard to stop her. Although she hasn’t managed to net a goal so far this season (something she truly wants to do) she is always a threat on set pieces and whenever she is breaking forward from the back.
Jade Richards – Defender
2019/20 Appearances – 10
2019/20 Goals – 2
Jade is one of those players that remains from my first ever game, and she never ever let’s the team down. With the Captain’s armband on she leads from the back and add’s to our set piece attacks showing with her goals this season. Not only does she do alot on the pitch in her combination with Elisha N’Dow at the back but also in directing the youth on their journey and growth to try and join the first team. Jade is certainly a player that you are glad is on your team and not playing against you as she is solid at the back and very hard to get in behind. Another player that also is very confident bringing the ball out from the back with her feet.
Alice Hassall – Midfielder
2019/20 Appearances – 4
We know what Alice can bring into the team as last season was one of our best players but it has been a frustrating season for her as she has been battling back from injury but managed to make her return against Blackburn Rovers nearly scoring with her first touch. A big personality in the team even when not playing through the injury. When we get back underway you can be sure for certain that Alice will be ready to fight for her place and add to the team to improve our already impressive midfield.
melissa Johnson – Forward
2019/20 Appearances – 20
2019/20 Goals – 13
Melissa Johnson joined Aston Villa this season from Leicester City like Greengrass and Franklin. We have seen in the past for Derby County, Sheffield and Leicester City, her pace and precision would be something to bring to the team. It didn’t take Melissa long to start scoring goals bagging hatricks and picking up Player Of The Month awards. Into the end of the season Melissa role changed and she grew into the role instead of being the Central Striker to using her pace and touch to create goals as well as scoring them as well. A key part to the team in many ways not just the goals.
Kerri Welsh – Forward
2019/20 Appearances – 15
2019/20 Goals – 3
Kerri like Jade is one of the remaining players from my first season watching Aston Villa Women. Kerri has 3 very key factors in being a special player to the club. The first one is you can never, ever count her out she has had the knocks and bounced back stronger each time. A great example to anyone who needs someone to look too. The second one is Kerri evolves and adapts each and every season to be the player that Aston Villa needs, her work is more important than the goals she also scores as many times she links the team together so well. The third thing is as a person she truly is an amazing example and credit to the club and badge. On the pitch and off the pitch just a top person and player.
AMY WEST – Midfielder
2019/20 Appearances – 20
2019/20 Goals – 4
I always say West Is The Best and that isn’t just a saying but it is the truth. Amy is so key to everything about Aston Villa, on the pitch she has made her position her own and only keeps improving the model professional. Amy seems to improve year after year and evolves with the team, I still remember her debut and ever since then never ever let me down. Amy scores beauty’s and works like a beast in the centre for the team. It’s been a pleasure and honor to be her sponsor and be able to get to steal moments of her time over the years and that is something that never ever will change.
Jodie Hutton – Midfielder
2019/20 Appearances – 13
Jodie is always touted so highly not only by us at Aston Villa Women but also by anyone who see’s her play. Her work effort is second to none and her skill and drive matches that as well. After returning from an injury she found herself in a role very different to last season as she filled in for Ella Franklin at Right Back and has made that position her own all season. We know how deadly she is going forward but she has also showed another side to her game. It isn’t something she isn’t familiar with as she does it when she is away with England on Youth Duty. Another player young in her career but a joy to watch as she grows as a key player for us.
Emily Syme – Midfielder
2019/20 Appearances – 20
2019/20 Goals – 3
Emily came into Aston Villa this season from Yeovil Town, I didn’t really know too much about her apart from she was representing England at youth level and people had said how good she was. It didn’t take long to realise we had a gem on the pitch. She plays ahead of her years and has that drive and skill to make sure she stands out every game. Scoring against Liverpool and seeing her celebration just showed how much she loved being apart of the team. A player that has grown all season and become key to us, and also made it into being a fan favourite for sure, Emily is infectious on the pitch and after also her smile as big as her talent on the pitch.
Natalie Haigh – Defender
2019/20 Appearances – 18
2019/20 Goals – 1
I often say about Natalie Haigh that she is the best Centre Back in the universe and I stand by that. A player again a bit like Syme that I didn’t know too much about. It didn’t take long to see what Natalie brought to the team. A solid and skillful Centre Back that for me is so key to the team. I said that Ella was in the running for the Player Of The Year till her injury, but for me Natalie Haigh over the entire season has been hard to say anything but worthy of that title too. Someone who has alot of experience in football but uses it in all the right ways to inspire the youth but not only the youth the fans also.
Sophie Haywood – Forward
2019/20 Appearances – 19
2019/20 Goals – 1
Sophie came in and worked her way into the first team, last season. Her second season she has really stamped her claim on her spot in the team. Her skills on the ball and work rate off the ball are high in the team. Not only does she run the wings and take people on as well as link up to the attackers well, but Sophie isn’t afraid of the hard work of tracking back and making sure that Aston Villa win the ball back. Another great personality off the pitch as well, someone that gives you all the time in the world and makes you proud to support your team.
Danielle Kosinska – Goalkeeper
2019/20 Appearances – 4
Our young Polish Cub/Superstar in the goal joined us this season and made her debut against Charlton at The Valley keeping a clean sheet while putting herself on the line. Another highlight in her 4 games was saving the penalty late on to stop Sheffield United getting back into the game. An amazing person with all the drive to become a better player and hopefully we will see this as we continue into next season as well. With Daniella and Sian we truly have a great goalkeeping unit at Aston Villa Women.
Sophie Maierhofer – Midfielder
2019/20 Appearances – 1
Had noticed Sophie was training with the team in photos but wasn’t sure who she was but Aston Villa announced her before she made her debut against Coventry United (which at the moment happens to be final game of the season). She is versatile in Midfield and Defence. An Austrian international that will no doubt add to the team as we go forward with ethier this season or the next one when the football returns.
Phoebe Warner – Midfielder
2019/20 Appearances – 14 (11 for N’ham ForesT)
2019/20 Goals – 2 (1 for N’ham Forest)
Phoebe was dual loaned at Nottingham Forest this season after scoring against them in preseason. In 3 games for Aston Villa Women she bagged one of quickest goals ever surely against Coventry United. We have seen Phoebe play for Nottingham Forest too and is always a pleasure even if she is playing a different type of role she adapts to it and causes the Northern Premier League defence’s alot of troubles with her pace and skills. Such a great young player and a greater person who brings joy to any game you see her play in.
Marisa Ewers – Midfielder
2019/20 Appearances – 20
2019/20 Goals – 3
I still remember the day I saw that we signed Marisa Ewers from WSL club Birmingham City and it was like unbelievable. From the past knew she was an incredible player seeing her play for Bayer Leverkusen and Birmingham City and then coming into our team. Throughout the whole season Marisa has shone in the midfield as she links everything and most of the play comes from her boots. She doesn’t mind adding a goal as well and when she does they usually are pretty special as well. Our Engine in the centre of the pitch. Marisa also works for the club as well as she helps us move forward into the future on and off the pitch.
Shania Hayles – Forward
2019/20 Appearances – 19
2019/20 Goals – 12
Shania joined Aston Villa Women from Birmingham City Women and without really knowing alot about her was told that she was an incredible player to bring in. It didn’t take Shania long to prove them right with her pace and eye for goal. It seemed if you played Shania, Shania would score. We sing she is on fire and no one can put her out as she came into her own in the second half of the season. Going forward we are lucky to have a player like Shania. Big memory of her was her coming on against London City Lionesses away in the 2-3 game and changing it around for us from the bench.
Nadine Hanssen – Midfielder
2019/20 Appearances – 17
2019/20 Goals – 3
Our very own Dutch Maestro in the midfield for Aston Villa Women. When Nadine joined us last season always hoped she would become the player she has this season. Last year we got a taste and she has really picked it up and ran with it this season. One of our best players in my opinion and one of the most consistent players on the pitch. An incredible focus to improve and soon as she is off the pitch a smile that fills the bar and ground. Very happy that we managed to steal Nadine before anyone else did and a player that will also help us build towards the future of the team.
emma follis – forward
2019/20 Appearances – 16
2019/20 Goals – 7
Emma Follis left Aston Villa Ladies to go to Reading in 2015 and returned to Aston Villa Women this season from Birmingham City. A player with alot of WSL experience soon showed that she would be key to the team with her runs down the wing and her set piece work. Scoring 7 goals making her the third top scorer is also something you can’t overlook as the goals plus the assist’s have helped put Aston Villa Women in the position they are in the league. A big media presence followed her when she joined and even though alot of talking was done through media, she backed it up on the pitch. A cracking goal against Charlton is a big memory from the season as well at The Valley in the pouring rain.
Gemma Davies – Manager
Carly Davies – Coach
Tom Stack – Legend/Terminator/Scout
And many more…
We have a very hard working team behind the scenes at Aston Villa Women who look to bring the club into new depths and push us towards a new chapter in history. This has seen alot of changes from when we started and the one’s that we don’t have also we remember well and it great to see them around supporting still. Additions like Ellen Martin, Ashleigh Hargreaves, Jack Peel and Christina Torkildsen.
The one other thing is Boldmere St Michaels has been such a great venue for us all season that includes even none Aston Villa Women days. The staff always make everyone feel welcome and look after us as well. This includes the Birmingham West Midlands team also who you often see in and around the bar too, when Dave leaves the lights on.