Aston Villa’s push for success will lean heavily on the know-how of their established core, with WSL regulars like defender Anna Patten, midfielder Missy Bo Kearns, and prolific striker Rachel Daly expected to set the tone.
Kearns told BBC Sport that with so many newcomers arriving from different leagues, she sees her role as helping them settle, set standards, and understand what it takes to compete at the top of the WSL. Her experience in English football, she added, is invaluable as both the league and the team continue to evolve.
Now entering a seventh straight season in the top flight, Villa have become a fixture in the WSL. Since moving all home league fixtures to Villa Park in 2024, the club has made clear its ambition to be among the league’s heavyweights.
Their summer outlay mirrors that of many mid-table rivals aiming to close the gap on the top four. While comparisons with the men’s team should be made carefully, the men’s Champions League berth underscores a broader club ambition—and the women’s side also has Europe in sight.
New signing Emily Ramsey, the goalkeeper brought in from Everton, told BBC Sport that while the traditional powerhouses are spending big, ambitious mid-table teams are also investing to challenge. She pointed to the money being spent elsewhere and the unpredictability that’s creeping into the league, noting this is pushing top clubs to keep raising their game. For Villa, she said, there’s no reason to shy away from a European push.
As for the Champions League, Ramsey believes it’s achievable. The aim is to play with freedom, turn Villa Park into a daunting venue, and carry enough confidence to break into those top spots.