Aston Villa have signed three players in the WSL winter transfer window, as Head Coach Iain Sankey looks to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season.
Amy Goddard has joined on loan for the remainder of the season from Bristol City, the centre-half having recently progressed into the 1st team set-up with the Vixens.
Also joining is Ellen Martin who has previously played for Fulham and AFC Wimbledon before moving to the Midlands to study at the University of Birmingham.
The third member of the trio is England U-17’s Asmita Ale who has been with the club’s RTC for a number of seasons and makes the step up to the seniors.
Sankey told ladies.avfc.co.uk: “We have been scouting the area for young talented players and both Amy and Ellen definitely meet that profile. They have impressed in training and during friendly games over the last few weeks and we are delighted that they have agreed to join us.
Asmita is also a very talented young player and is another example of the club’s philosophy to develop players from within the system. She has played for our U-16s all season and has impressed enough to be selected for England and for us to promote her into our development and 1st team programme.”
Meanwhile, Villa have announced that they will be playing their home games at Boldmere St Michaels FC from next season.
The club has recently upgraded the playing surface to a new 3G pitch, with ambitious plans in place to further develop the stadium facilities.
Aston Villa Chief Executive, Keith Wyness, said: “Aston Villa Ladies is an important part of the football club and through support from various departments, key changes are being implemented which will allow the Ladies team to flourish in the longer term.
“Central to our strategy for developing the ladies team has been the desire to bring the them back to Birmingham to play their home games. The partnership with Boldmere St Michaels is an exciting one as they are an ambitious and well respected club, close to Villa Park.”
The remainder of games for the 2017/18 season will continue at Tamworth FC.
