Aston Villa Ladies star Katy Moran helping to grow game as WSL returns

The 26-year-old midfielder has spent six years at Villa, who start the FA Women’s Super League Two (WSL 2) campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, September 24.

She is not set to be involved in the 2pm clash at Tamworth’s Lamb Ground, as she is recovering from a slipped disc, but insists her teammates are well prepared.

And, with England recently reaching the semi-finals of the Euros, Moran is hoping Villa can do their bit to further build the profile of women’s football.

“It is immense. When I started out, you were picking from about four or five teams around here,” she said.

“Now there is around 200-300 to choose from, it’s massive.

“When you look across all women’s sports, it’s all doing well – rugby, cricket, football – and its about building on that now.

“We just want the game to grow, to get some more eyes on it, and then look to be up there with the men’s game.”

Moran became skipper at the start of the last campaign and is a box-to-box player who has previously featured for Birmingham Ladies and Coventry Ladies.

“I do take a lot of pride in being captain, and when you put the shirt as well,” she said.

“Although I am injured at the minute, the team has been training well and is ready to start.

“I have got a slipped disc, I am still recovering so I’ll probably be a few months.”

Villa’s division is made up of 10 teams and also features the likes of Tottenham Hotspur Ladies, Millwall Lionesses and Doncaster Rovers Belles.

Dave Stevens was appointed as their head coach for the new season in May. He will be assisted by first team coach Iain Sankey and first team coach/development coach Corrine Mitchell.

On what the side’s aims are for the season, Moran added: “We are all feeling positive. We want to grow from last year and develop that consistency you need.

“It is going to be a tough game against Brighton, but we will prepare and make sure we are ready.

“If we can get there, that is great. We’ll look at that a bit closer to the time – we do not want to put too much pressure on ourselves early on.”