Villa Ladies Prepare for Super League Season

Villa Ladies: Picture perfect for first Super League season


Villa Ladies are picture perfect for their first season in the Women's Super League.

Dani Petrovic may be team captain - but Emma Follis towered above everyone this week.

Follis was used in all the media launch material to help promote the upcoming campaign, which sees Villa Ladies face Doncaster Belles in the opening match on Wednesday April 16 at their home ground of Sutton Town.

Her full body shot in claret and blue kit was featured in the BT Sport studios in London as representatives of all 18 clubs converged on the capital ahead of the exciting campaign.

Ron Mellor, Chloe Jones and Carly Davies were there for Villa Ladies as they got in the spirit of things with interviews and photoshoots before the big kick-off.

Villa Ladies are ready for their first season in Women's Super League, according to head coach Joe Hunt, who has overseen a tough, productive pre-season over the past few weeks.

Hunt purposefully chose an incredibly difficult programme of matches.

Villa Ladies have faced Bristol Ladies, Liverpool Ladies, Man City Ladies and Chelsea Ladies - all top-quality teams in the top tier of the Women's Super League next season.

Hunt, along with boss Mellor, believed that testing the girls against the very best would improve their physical, mental and playing qualities ahead of the big kick-off.

Hunt said: "I am a strong believer that, in any sport, you improve by testing yourself against the very best.

"That's what we have faced - and I have seen a definite improvement in all aspects of the team as they weeks have gone on.

"Bristol were excellent, Liverpool were superb, Man City have a strong squad and Chelsea will be the dark horses this term.

"Yes, we have lost a few of the games but that's not important to me. What's vital in my opinion - and that goes for Ron too - is that they have progressed as players. They have, undoubtedly.

"We are more than ready for this exciting new phase in the club's history."



Villa Ladies drew 1-1 with top-flight runners-up Bristol Ladies in their first pre-season encounter.

New signing Alicia Robinson scored five minutes into her debut while centre-half Jade Richards secured vital minutes under her belt on her return from injury.

Then it was a trip to champions Liverpool Ladies and that produced a narrow 2-1 defeat for the visitors.

Richards, developing her fitness, scored the opener before the Merseyside club equalised.

This game was memorable for the surge in confidence of the likes of academy graduate Sarah Mayling and tenacious midfielder Maddy Cusack.

Villa Ladies then travelled to Man City Ladies, a team that have enjoyed a huge influx of internationals like Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton ahead of their promotion to the highest level of the female game.

The claret and blues went down 2-0 but, once again, there were signs of huge improvement.

Abbeyleigh Stringer was influential in midfield and it was intriguing to watch her battle against senior Three Lions star Jill Scott.

Finally, it was a visit to Chelsea Ladies - and a 3-0 defeat - but wing wonder Follis showed her class, especially in the second half, with an accomplished display against a side flowing with stars.

The only downside in the pre-season programme was the knee injury to Emily Owen, which will keep her out for the entire season.

However, she will be back stronger than ever for the following campaign.

Villa Ladies then travelled to Man City Ladies, a team that have enjoyed a huge influx of internationals like Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton ahead of their promotion to the highest level of the female game.

Billy McBingo wrote:There are two pics included!

Villa Ladies v Doncaster Belles: Here's our ones to watch
Head Coach Joe Hunt selects his players to watch this term.


With the Women's Super League starting this Wednesday, Head Coach Joe Hunt gives us his six of the best.

Hunt chooses six Villa Ladies players he believes will star in claret and blue this term.

Olivia Fergusson
Livy [above] is a product of our centre of excellence.

In her first season at senior level, she had a very mixed time.

Like all the younger player we have to monitor the amount she played. They don't like it but we do it in their very best interests.

Once she made the adjustment to senior football, she started to terrorise opposition defences.

Away at Ipswich in the FA Cup, she was outstanding but took a heavy knock on her ankle. She could barely walk but before I could get her off the pitch she'd scored a cheeky back heel for us to take the lead!

She then missed about six weeks of the season with the injury but made a massive impact in the League Cup final, coming on as a second half substitute.

Livy has blistering pace, she is very direct and full-backs hate playing against her. She has worked exceptionally hard over pre-season to be ready for this Super League campaign.



Sarah Mayling
Sarah [above] has been at the club for a long, long time! And she's only just turned 17.

Sarah has taken to senior football like a duck to water. The rest of the squad love having her around because her football abilities are frightening.

She can play centre midfield, both wings and even filled in at right-back during one pre-season game.

For England, she has also played as point striker - that's how good she is.

Sarah's desire to work hard is one of her best qualities. Even though she has all the technical ability, what makes her stand out is non-stop industry.

Regardless of the scoreline, she will do her best to make sure her opponent doesn't get the better of her. It's something she has always done, which is a credit to her.



Chloe Jones
Even though Chloe [above] is only 24, she is one of our most experienced players.

Chloe has played Super League 1, which none of the other girls have.

At times she thinks it's quite strange she is a senior head - but she is fantastic with all the players.

She is a tremendous role model, not just for the senior section but for our centre of excellence.

Chloe has fantastic ability on the pitch, a lovely left foot which can pick a pass at will.

But Chloe knows the importance of looking after herself off the pitch. She has a great balance with everything she does.

Chloe will get up early every day to do a fitness session so her levels never drop. She works constantly with Anders (our sports scientist) on how to improve her fitness.

On a training night, she gives everything and is open to our ideas.

We've tweaked her role this season, which is something new to her, but she will do it with 100% commitment.



Caitlin Leach
Caitlin [above] will definitely be one of the goalkeepers to watch this season in the Super League.

For such a young girl she has incredible maturity on the pitch.

She dominates her penalty area with her physical presence and is not afraid to tell her team-mates what's required!

Captain Dani Petrovic and fellow centre-back Jade Richards enjoy having a 'talker' behind them.

Caitlin has all the attributes needed but she adds a different dimension to the team with her kicking ability.

At times it's like having a sweeper behind the back four. She can play short but her main strength is playing long with great accuracy.

Our policy at the club is to produce our own players as much as possible.

Caitlin will get her chance this season. There's nothing like onfield experience for goalkeepers.



Lauren Walker
Lauren [above] was signed from Wolves Ladies the previous summer.

She is a fantastic addition to the squad and has had an outstanding pre-season.

Lauren can play on the left side of midfield but has enjoyed a spell at left-back where she has excelled.

She's quick, strong in the tackle and has a sweet left foot.

The fans will enjoy some of her rampaging runs down the wing, either in support of the wingers or going beyond them into the opposition box.



Sherry McCue
Sherry [above] has matured as a player in the last 18 months - playing for Villa Ladies in the National Division and then captaining the England U19s has helped her game progress.

She is very competitive in the middle of the pitch but also has the technical game to open teams up with her passing range.

This will be a big season for Shez.

She'll be looking to drive Villa Ladies as high up the table as possible and then hopefully represent England U20s at the FIFA World Cup in Canada this August.