Aston Villa Women confirm Lucy Staniforth contract extension

Lucy Staniforth has signed a contract extension with Aston Villa Women, the club has announced.

The Villans confirmed via their official website on 16 July that the 31-year-old has signed a new deal to keep her at Villa Park until June 2025.

Villa Head of Women's Football, Lee Billiard said: "We are pleased to keep Lucy on board for another year. Lucy is a good leader on the field and an experienced head in games.

We all missed her presence during the final months of last season but we are looking forward to having her back fit and healthy for the upcoming campaign."

Lucy Staniforth signs new Aston Villa Women contract

The former England international hasn't featured in the Women's Super League since 19 January when she completed a full 90 minutes against Leicester City [FotMob].

Since signing from Manchester United in 2022, Staniforth has gone on to make 32 appearances for the club across all competitions.

The former Birmingham City Women's star became an integral part of Carla Ward's side in her spell as manager.

Now with Robert de Pauw in charge of the Villans, it will be interesting to see where the defensive-minded midfielder fits in.

After managing to make just eight starts last campaign [FotMob], there is no guarantee that she will come back in as a starter straight away under the Dutchman.

This will only have been made more difficult by Jill Baihings coming in on a season-long loan to add to the midfield.

Staniforth will return to the squad and add plenty of experience which will be integral in a debut season under a new manager.

In other Aston Villa news, star shares message to supporters as summer transfer confirmed.

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