Carla Ward wants Aston Villa Women on front foot after crossing Second City divide
Carla Ward has vowed to bring an attacking style of play to Villa Women as she prepares to start work as the club’s new manager.
The 37-year-old will officially join on Tuesday having made the move from city rivals Blues.
She is replacing long-time head coach Gemma Davies and interim boss Marcus Bignot, both of whom departed after Villa survived their first season in the Women’s Super League on the final day.
Ward is eager to build on the foundations already in place with the club eager to push higher up the table next season.
She said: “They’ve got some exceptional individuals here, both as players and people.
“There is a lot of recruiting to do, but those that are here are very good players.
“I’m looking forward to understanding them as people and then looking at how we can improve them. It’s exciting. Hopefully we can kick them on.
“Gemma did an unbelievable job here for years and hopefully I can pick up the baton and carry that on.”
A former midfielder, Ward got her first taste of management at Sheffield United when Villa were their rivals vying for promotion from the Championship.
She took over at Blues last August and kept them in the WSL despite a season dominated by off-field turmoil.
Ward continued: “When I was at Sheffield United all we did was attack and we couldn’t defend. When I went to Birmingham and we sat behind and defended and did what we had to do.
“This year I think we will try and put the two together. We want to play exciting football and we want to get up the pitch.
“Ultimately I want a style of play that represents myself as an attacking player but implementing both styles. We want to be on the front foot and expansive. This feels like a club going in the right direction. I’m excited to be here.”
