Aston Villa Women kick off summer business with smart double signing
Aston Villa Women have finally got their summer transfer business underway with the double signing of Anna Patten and Simone Magill.
Magill arrives at Villa on a two-year deal after leaving Everton, while Patten joins on a second loan spell from Arsenal.
Both moves were announced via the club’s website, with Magill arriving on Wednesday 6 July and Patten being announced on Thursday 7 July.
The duo are Villa’s first two signings of the summer after seeing nine senior players leave the club so far this window.
Fans can surely expect more deals in the near future, with BBC journalist Emma Sanders reporting back in June that Villa had agreements in place with five players.
Where needs to be improved next?
There is one key area that Villa need to address in the coming weeks, that of course being at striker.
Their midfield, even with losing Remi Allen and Jill Scott, is largely fine following the emergence of Laura Blinkilde Brown and Olivia McLoughlin over the last 18 months.
Defence is also something that could have to be looked at if Elisha N’Dow favours another loan move, but it is fine right now.
However, to say Villa’s striking department is misfiring is an understatement.
Since their promotion to the WSL in 2020, Villa have fielded no less than six different players at striker.
Between them, they have scored a combined nine goals, with no striker scoring more than twice in a season.
Their goal return has been awful ever since promotion, finishing as the league’s lowest scorers in both of their two seasons in the top flight.
Last summer, Emily Gielnik was brought in as their marquee signing but the Australian international scored just twice all season.
Patten and Magill are both very decent players and are good signings for Villa, but they need a prolific scorer if they are to properly push on.
In other Aston Villa news, young goalkeeper Vijalmi Sinsalo has signed a new contract at the club.