Aston Villa defender Anna Patten says that the club can compete with the Barclays Women’s Super League’s elite following a successful summer in the transfer market.
Carla Ward’s Villans finished ninth last season, their highest position so far. The club will now be hoping to build on that after enjoying a very fruitful summer transfer window.
Defender Patten has re-joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal and ahead of the new season, she spoke to FAWSL Full-Time about The Villans’ ambitions, as well as her own personal development.
“Villa have shown that they want to push on with the signings that they’ve made,” Patten said. “We’ve added a lot of quality to our team and there’s nothing else stopping us being able to compete with the top teams.”
Another summer signing made by Aston Villa is Lioness and former Houston Dash forward Rachel Daly, who at the
age of 30, thought the time was right to come and enjoy a period of football back home in England. Patten was full of praise for the utility player.
She said “Rachel’s got so much quality and she also brings a great atmosphere off the pitch as well. She’s joined this team
like she’s been a part of it for a few years already. It’s great to have those versatile players that offer so much quality.”
Patten made just one start during the early stages of the 2021/2022 season for parent club Arsenal and joining Aston Villa on loan in January allowed her to get the game time that she deserved. Although illness cut her season short, she still started seven games for the Midlands club. Patten said that she didn’t think twice about re-joining Aston Villa again this season.
“It was a really easy decision,” the defender said. “I was pulled aside at the end of last season by Villa and they were showing their interest to have me back on loan. I’ve still got a couple of years left at Arsenal so for me, it was really important to have another year on loan.
“Arsenal were really for it, they thought it was going to be the best thing for me and my development as a player so I’m really grateful that both clubs were happy for the loan to happen.
“The most important thing about going out on loan is the game time. That isn’t something I’ve really had at a professional
women’s level, so getting the game time under my belt is really helping me develop. Being comfortable in the WSL and showing what I’m about is also super-important.”
Patten could again partner Scottish international Rachel Corsie in the Aston Villa defence this season. Corsie also joined The Villans in January after being released by National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit Kansas City. Since uniting at Aston Villa, Patten and Corsie have formed a solid partnership, complimenting each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“I’m very grateful to have Corsie beside me,” Patten said. “She’s captain for Scotland and has played so many games at a high level. She’s a proper leader beside me and she keeps me on my toes as well so she’s a great centre-back partner to have.”
Aston Villa begin the new season against Manchester City at Villa Park on Sunday. Tickets for the match remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.