Aston Villa Women: Sarah Mayling rewarded for fine form with new long-term contract
Sarah Mayling has capped off her brilliant start to the WSL season by signing a new contract at Aston Villa until 2025.
The 25-year-old initially re-joined Villa in 2021 after leaving the West Midlands for a stint at bitter rivals Birmingham City but has moved from strength to strength since her return.
Since the beginning of last season, Mayling has made 38 appearances and quickly become one of Carla Ward’s most consistent players.
The right-back has started every game in all competitions for the Villans so far this term, notching up a single assist and creating six big chances, highlighting her importance not just in defensive play but also in the final third. [BBC Sport]
Mayling putting pen to paper is the latest positive step taken by the club in what has been a crazy start to the January transfer window.
The club has already added Arsenal legend Jordan Nobbs and 2019 Women’s World Cup Lioness Lucy Staniforth to their ranks within two weeks of the window opening, and Mayling is yet further proof the club mean business.
Upon the full-back signing her new contract, manager Ward waxed lyrical about the huge strides taken by Mayling in recent times. [AVFC]
She said: “She’s growing into one of the league’s most consistent players and we believe she can go on to be anything she wants to be.”
“We are all looking forward to continuing our journey together.”
Despite Villa conceding nine goals in their two WSL fixtures before the mid-season break, Mayling has been a mainstay in a defence that has, on the whole, taken huge strides in the league this season.
Considering Ward’s side shipped 40 goals last season and registered a -27 goal difference in the process, the -6 deficit at the halfway point this season bodes well for times to come.
Mayling’s job at the back will also be eased by the return of Rachel Corsie alongside her at centre-back.
The Scotland international has had to push forward into an unfamiliar deep-lying midfield role due to the ridiculous amount of injuries picked up by Villa this campaign, but the signings of Nobbs and Staniforth have relieved these deficiencies.
With Corsie slotting back into centre-back, the right-back can now has the foundation to kick on to yet another gear following the signing of her new contract.
Mayling and Aston Villa return to action on Saturday (14 January) following the mid-season break with a WSL fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at the Poundland Bescto Stadium.
In other Aston Villa news, Dan Bardell believes this one women’s player can be the heart of the Villa midfield for years to come after flourishing in her breakout season.