Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Mon 13 April 2026 14:10, UK

Aston Villa star Kirsty Hanson has one of the best conversion rates in the Women’s Super League amid a stellar season.

Villa have had a difficult campaign and have never been too far above the relegation zone, with the West Midlands outfit currently ninth in the table.

However, the standout positive for Natalia Arroyo’s side has been striker Hanson, who is the division’s second top scorer on 12 goals from 19 matches.

Only Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw has scored more than the Scottish international, with the Jamaican bagging 18 goals to date.

Ahead of Villa returning to WSL action after the international break against Arsenal, Hanson is garnering a lot of deserved attention.

Kirsty Hanson matching the WSL’s best

Hanson joined Villa on loan from Manchester United in the 2022-23 season, where she scored eight goals in 28 matches.

The Scot then signed for the Villa Park side permanently in 2023, but she wasn’t as effective in front of goal in the following two campaigns.

That has changed in 2025-26, with Hanson being ultra clinical in front of goal. She is averaging 0.75 goals per 90 minutes and is tracking at a goal every 120 minutes.

This is a remarkable turnaround after scoring just three WSL goals in the previous two seasons.

And, according to Opta, the 27-year-old has a better goal conversion rate than Shaw (17 per cent), City teammate Vivianne Miedema (15 per cent), and Arsenal’s Alessia Russo (14 per cent).

Only City’s Kerolin tops Hanson, who has also outscored Miedema (10), Russo (nine), and more.

Hanson has also scored more goals than Kerolin (eight), although the City star has only made 12 appearances in the WSL this term.

Without Hanson, Villa could be in the thick of a relegation battle with Midlands neighbours Leicester City. If they want to kick on next season, they have to keep her.

Hanson up for WSL award

Hanson’s excellent season could get even better after she was shortlisted for March’s Barclays WSL Player of the Month award.

The forward bagged three goals in games against Chelsea and Leicester, while teammate Lynn Wilms has also been nominated after an impressive defensive effort and a handful of assists, too.

They do, however, face stiff competition from City’s Kerstin Casparij and Shaw, Liverpool’s Ceri Holland, and Arsenal duo Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy.

Incidentally, after Villa, who saw coach Shaun Goater leave last month, host Arsenal on 26 April, their WSL game with West Ham has been moved from 3 May to 4 May due to a scheduling conflict.

The fixture will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and the WSL’s YouTube channel.