Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward says that the club are keen to keep Manchester United loanee Kirsty Hanson beyond the end of the current season.
The 25-year-old Halifax-born forward joined The Villans on a season-long loan deal back in September. Hanson has netted four goals in 17 appearances for Aston Villa in the Barclays Women’s Super League this season while she has also provided eight assists.
Hanson is scheduled to return to parent club Manchester United when the season comes to an end next month but Aston Villa boss Ward remains hopeful of retaining the player’s services.
“We are optimistic about it but it also depends on where Manchester United end up because everybody knows that if you make the Champions League, you need a very big squad, that’s the reality of it,” Ward said when speaking in an Aston Villa press conference.
“We will have to see how the remaining games pan out but we certainly want to keep her, she’s been excellent.
“I’ve played with Kirsty and I’ve managed her now. We’ve got a really good relationship and we would love to continue that.
“We will see how Manchester United do and then we will assess it towards the end of the season but certainly, we want to keep her.”
Aston Villa face Hanson’s parent club Manchester United in their next match at The Poundland Bescot Stadium tomorrow night. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.