Aston Villa Women targeting permanent moves for loan stars

Aston Villa Women could be set for a busy start to the summer transfer window, according to Emma Sanders.

Carla Ward’s Villans secured their highest-ever finish in a Women’s Super League season in 2022/23, achieving a fifth-place finish.

Loanees Anna Patten and Kirsty Hanson were major parts of that success, and Sanders reported on Tuesday that Villa are now targeting permanent deals for the duo.

Sanders broke the news about Patten on Monday morning, also noting that Brighton are targeting the defender while reporting on their move for Hanson on Monday evening.

However, there could also be a major departure from Villa soon with Sanders also reporting on Tuesday afternoon that goalkeeper Hannah Hampton could leave the club.

The report states that Manchester City, Manchester United and WSL champions Chelsea are targeting the England international and that Villa are happy to let her leave.

Easy come, easy go

Villa are certainly wise to target permanent moves for both Patten and Hanson after their highly successful loan spells.

Patten should be easy enough for Villa to snap up, with the defender’s contract set to expire in the coming weeks.

However, Hanson will prove much more difficult as she has a year left on her contract at Manchester United.

The Scottish winger was nominated for WSL Player of the Season during her spell in the Midlands, so Marc Skinner may wish to keep her around for next season.

Hampton’s potential departure may come as a shock on the surface, but it does make sense when considered with context.

Her form has been erratic since her arrival at Villa in 2021, even being displaced by Anna Leat midway through the season.

Leat has impressed when given the opportunity since her arrival from West Ham last summer and Ward will want her to have more minutes.

Spending time learning from a seasoned, more dependable senior ‘keeper would also benefit the New Zealand starlet, so signing someone of that profile would make sense.