Aston Villa Women star Ruesha Littlejohn signs new one-year deal
Aston Villa Women have confirmed that Irish international Ruesha Littlejohn has signed a new one-year contract at the club.
Littlejohn, who arrived at the club from Second City rivals Birmingham City last summer, made 17 league appearances for Villa last season.
The club announced the news via their website on Tuesday evening (5 July), making her the first player to sign a new deal at the club this summer.
“It’s a club with a bright vision and future. I’m delighted I get to be part of the plans going forward”, she said.
“I’m looking forward to starting preseason and being able to grow as a player and a person at this phenomenal football club.”
A good start
Littlejohn’s announcement, much like Ashley Young’s new contract for the men’s team, is not an exciting one but is nevertheless very important.
She is the ideal replacement for the injured Remi Allen, after slotting in for her at several points last season.
Like Allen, she sits at the base of midfield to break up attacks and dictate the play while also being a very vocal leader.
Littlejohn has one of the best tackles per 90-minute rates of any midfielder in the league at 3.53, putting her in the top 8% for midfielders (FBRef).
Her pass completion of 80% also puts her in the top 20% for midfielders in the WSL, while also being almost 7% higher than Allen’s (FBRef).
She also ranks among the league’s best midfielders for pressures, interceptions, clearances and, rather surprisingly, dribbles completed despite her not being a creative player.
While Littlejohn is not an exciting player and she will not get the crowd on their feet, tying her down to a new contract is incredibly important for Villa and it represents a strong start to their summer business.
In other Aston Villa news, former defender Alan Hutton has praised the club’s decision to keep Ashley Young.