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Just over a week ago, the Aston Villa Ladies made a quadruple signing announcement that saw a number of young talents, and the club’s first overseas signing join the club.
Words by Regan Foy (@FindFoy)
Around a week ago, the Aston Villa Ladies side announced that they’d be welcoming four new additions to their team ahead of the new season.
With new Head Coach Gemma Davies taking the role in June, the side have not had long with their new coach, and the ladies have had even less time in regards to strengthening the squad before the season opener against Sheffield United.
The first, Alison Hall, signed from Coventry United – but Gemma Davies is not unknown to the player who worked with her over the past four years at the University of Birmingham.
Alison plays as a striker and is touted to be a clinical finisher with a huge amount of potential. She’s touted for big things in the future.
Nadine Hanssen also joined, becoming the first ever overseas signing for the Aston Villa Ladies when she put pen to paper.
The 25-year-old midfielder has previously played for PSV Eindhoven and VVV-Venlo in her home country of the Netherlands, but she joined from Belgian outfit KRC Genk – where she had been playing for a number of years.
Nadine is said to be classy in possession, and appeared in nearly 2,000 minutes of football for Genk last season, notching up four goals and four assists in the process.
Hoping to make a big impact in English football, Hanssen’s signing could see the floodgates open, providing a more foreign flair for the Aston Villa Ladies in the future.
Youngster Hollie Gibson signed from Stoke City Ladies, graduating from the Stoke Regional Talent Club.
As a natural left footer, the skilful defender will be looking to play some tasty balls forward for Aston Villa in the future.
Touted to have a lot of potential, Gibson seems to have joined as more of a prospect for the future – but we could see her grow into her position and the team very soon.
The final signing of the four was Sophie Haywood, a natural playmaker who has signed after her four-year scholarship at Texas A&M University.
She’s known for bringing players into the game and has a natural finishing ability – and should be one to watch as she grows accustomed to English football once more.
Haywood is looking to be a regular in Gemma Davies’ side, and will be excited to get the season underway back on home soil.
