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      Birmingham City Women slam budget, work conditions and lack of medical help in complaint to club

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY WOMEN have complained to their club’s board about working conditions, medical care and fitness facilities for their players.The Telegraph claims a formal letter it has seen – signed by every single member of Blues’ first-team squad – has been sent to club chiefs. 
      Birmingham Women’s first-team squad have formally complained to the club’s board about working conditionsCredit: Rex
      The letter, which was first reported by journalist Shebahn Aherne on Sky Sports News, lists a number of problems.
      Concerns include a lack of support with travel on game days, access to changing rooms and worries about playing finances affecting match-day squad numbers. 

      It claims that some salaries for playing staff are reportedly below the minimum wage and that current conditions for players ‘prevent us from performing our jobs to the best of our ability’.
      And it is thought gym facilities provided for the women’s team do not meet elite sporting standards with their physio and rehab room based in a portakabin. 
      Other concerns highlighted include poor-quality pitches provided for players and claims that some coaching personnel are not employed full-time which would contravene Women’s Super League licence regulations. 
      The Telegraph reports there are fears the club may not be committed to providing the finances needed to pay for a full-time women’s side next term.
      And just three players are thought to have a contract for next season.
      It is claimed the women’s squad – who are currently ninth and battling for survival in the WSL – had numerous pleas for meetings with board members declined before their complaint letter was sent. 
      However, Birmingham City officials are thought to have denied this. 
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      Birmingham Women have concerns about gym facilities, pay and a lack of medical supportCredit: Getty

      A club official told the Telegraph: “The letter was received, in the last week, and responded to. 
      A request to meet with the board was made in the letter and the request was the first formal request to be received.
      “It’s no secret we have one of the lowest budgets in the league, Covid has only compounded this. 
      “This certainly makes it difficult to compete, but we’re doing our best on and off the pitch in what is a very difficult time for professional football.”
      Birmingham, who reached the semi-finals of the 2020 Women’s FA Cup, have endured a challenging season with injuries leaving their squad severely depleted earlier this term.
      And pitch conditions at the Damson Park ground they use for home clashes has led to some fixtures being postponed. 
      Birmingham are battling to retain their place in the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Rex
      In January team boss Carla Ward said she would only be able to field TEN players for a game against Tottenham due to several players being out of action. 
      After talks with team medics, there were concerns over the physical wellbeing of players which led to the club applying for the fixture to be postponed. 
      However, after the FA refused their request the club decided to call off the game due to an ‘unprecedented shortage of player availability’. 
      The decision would later lead to Tottenham being awarded a win and three points by an independent tribunal much to Birmingham Women’s disappointment.
      The tribunal found the club had breached rule 11.3.18 by failing ‘to fulfil an engagement’. 
      We’ve had it all chucked at us and I’m absolutely delighted with this team as they’ve shown pure resilience and a mentality and a mindset not to roll over. Carla Ward
      Birmingham, who are three points and three places above the drop zone, are due to take on Reading in the league after the international break following an FA Cup fourth-round clash with Coventry. 
      Prior to their game with Chelsea Ward, who took charge of the club in August 2020,  praised the grit her team have displayed this season. 
      Carla Ward has hailed the resilience of her side who battled with an injury crisis earlier this seasonCredit: Zuma Press
      Ward said: “We’ve had it all chucked at us and I’m absolutely delighted with this team as they’ve shown pure resilience and a mentality and a mindset not to roll over. 
      “It’s easy to roll over when things aren’t going your way, but they’ve had a real attitude of making sure that they’ve got a siege mentality. 
      “Before I took this job I know there were a lot of people saying Birmingham would get rolled over week-in, week-out, and we haven’t done.
      “No matter what happens, I can honestly say I will be very proud of this group because we’ve achieved a points number that Blues didn’t achieve last season.”
      Birmingham are due to play Reading in their next WSL fixture following a Women’s FA Cup clash with CoventryCredit: Rex
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Morgan hails Leicester’s WSL promotion and pays emotional tribute to former owner Khun Vichai

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      JONATHAN MORGAN praised Leicester City for winning their place among the best teams in women’s football after a “tough journey” to the top.  And the Foxes gaffer paid a touching tribute to Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha after watching his side reach the WSL on the former club owner’s birthday.
      Jonathan Morgan and his Leicester City players will compete in the Women’s Super League next seasonCredit: Getty
      Esme De Graaf and her team-mates secured WSL promotion after a 2-0 win against London City LionessesCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
      Morgan was speaking after Leicester won the FA Women’s Championship crown following a solid 2-0 victory against London City Lionesses. 
      Goals from Samantha Tierney and Natasha Flint were enough to help the Foxes defeat the only team to have beaten them in 18 second tier games this season. 
      Morgan told BBC Leicester Sport: “I’m still in a bit of shock, to be honest. 
      “All I know is that I’m incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to lead that crop of girls. 
      “To get promoted to the elite of women’s football is amazing and I think everyone should be proud of themselves. 
      “Everyone should just look back at the year and enjoy it now.” 
      Leicester’s remarkable rise to the highest division of the women’s game for the first time ever – comes nearly eight years after they were relegated to the fourth tier, in May 2013.
      The team picked up just four points from 16 games in the 2012-13 season. 
      However, they would go on to win promotion to the third tier in 2016 before being one of five sides incorporated into the Women’s Championship in May 2018 and winning the division’s title this term. 
      And their triumph comes more than two years after the tragic death of former Leicester owner and Thai businessman Khun Vichai.
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      Leicester’s next game will be a fourth round Women’s FA Cup match against LiverpoolCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd

      Morgan added: “This has been seven years in the making and it’s been a long journey for me personally, it’s been a tough journey. 
      “I’ve learnt so much on the way. I must also thank the owners of the club as well.
      ‘The support and the infrastructure they’ve given us over this year in particular and in former years too has just been fantastic.
      “To [win promotion] on Vichai’s birthday just makes it even more special for us as a club, us as individuals and the city as well.”
      Leicester’s promotion will see some former WSL players make their return to the top-flight next term.
      Leicester’s promotion will see keeper Kirstie Levell competing in the WSL next termCredit: Getty
      Players include ex-Everton keeper Kirstie Levell and midfield ace Remi Allen, who made 66 Reading appearances from 2016 to 2020 before sealing her Foxes switch. 
      Before their promotion win, Levell said: “When I joined this club I knew it was going to be a journey to go on with the team and I’m really glad that I chose this opportunity to come to Leicester. 
      “Just going back up there with the ones who came down from the WSL and going back up there with my team-mates is great.
      “I’m really really excited to be going back and playing top, top teams as well.”
      The Foxes’ Women’s Championship triumph will see Remi Allen return to the WSL in the 2021-22 seasonCredit: Getty
      Leicester’s Championship win is the pinnacle of a dramatic season that has seen them become a full-time professional outfit after being acquired by the King Power owners of the club’s Prem side. 
      The side has also seen Foxes hero Emile Heskey come on board as the team’s ambassador and in a coaching role. 
      And the women’s squad moved into Leicester’s £100million Seagrave practice ground previously used by the Foxes’ Prem team.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Samantha Tierney’s second-half strike against London City helped Leicester secure promotion to the top-flightCredit: Getty
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      Chelsea 6 Birmingham 0: Kerr and Kirby on song as Blues net six against Birmingham before Man City clash

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      SAM KERR put in a superb shift as Chelsea hit Birmingham for six to reach their 100th goal milestone for this season. The Australia star’s hat-trick and a Fran Kirby brace were among the efforts that saw the champions thump the visitors 6-0 to maintain their grip at the top.  
      Sam Kerr’s hat-trick helped Chelsea seal their sixth win on the bounce in the WSLCredit: Getty
      Fran Kirby scored twice to help the Blues notch up 100 goals this seasonCredit: Rex
      Before the clash Birmingham boss, Carla Ward described Emma Hayes as the best female coach in football. 
      And after the hosts’ clinical attacking display – with Kerr taking her WSL goal tally to 17 –  it was not hard to see why. 
      Blues gaffer Hayes said: “Sam is the ultimate team player and will do anything for the team to do well.
      “She can take the pressure and responsibility well enough. Her goals speak for themselves. 
      “The things that are impressing me about her play are the things that I think she had to improve on the most like her ability to link play or hold up. 
      “She is so often getting the first goal for us just when we need it and that is just priceless.”
      The visitors – who had lost seven of their last nine meetings with Chelsea – held their own in defence for the first 20 mins and looked to harry the hosts when they were in possession. 
      But it did not take too long for Hayes’ aces to get off the mark.
      And it was Kerr burying her first in the 24th minute from a tight angle after Hannah Hampton parried Erin Cuthbert’s shot out wide.
      Chelsea’s 6-0 win means they stay top in the Women’s Super League ahead of the international breakCredit: PA

      Birmingham had a good chance to pick up an equaliser 14 minutes later after Claudia Walker latched on to a ball that bounced awkwardly over Millie Bright.
      But Carla Ward’s top scorer saw her sweetly struck shot sail wide of Ann-Katrin Berger’s near post before Kerr took the wind out of the visitors’ sails. 
      The Matildas skipper struck twice in three minutes deep into injury time in the first half. 
      First through nodding in her second after a Pernille Harder effort rebounded off the post.
      And then a free header off of a fine set-piece cross from Cuthbert in the 47th minute.
      The second half saw Hayes make five substitutions with Guro Reiten and Beth England among the players to come on. 
      Claudia Walker’s 38th minute shot was the closest Birmingham came to scoringCredit: Rex
      And it was England who set up Kirby to net her 13th goal of the season following a cutback from the Blues playmaker. 
      Reiten got in on the act with Kirby turning provider to help her team-mate slot in her first league goal of the season. 
      And Kirby sealed an emphatic victory for the champs with her late strike helping Chelsea reach a century of goals this term. 
      A title duel with Manchester City is up next after the international break for Hayes’ side who are also battling to win their first Champions League crown.
      Meanwhile, Birmingham – who remain ninth and three points above the foot of the table – have an FA Cup clash with Coventry before they face Reading in the league. 
      And Ward made it clear that WSL survival will be her team’s top priority. 
      Guro Reiten registered her first goal of the season when she scored Chelsea’s fifth against BirminghamCredit: Rex
      Ward said: “I don’t want to disrespect the competition because  I think it’s an unbelievable competition and one that I absolutely love playing in. 
      “One day, no doubt, managing and it will also be something special, but in all honesty, it’s not important. 
      “We will ring the changes, we’ll allow players to get minutes will allow those to get some rest. 
      “It’s not big for us, survival is. They’ll certainly be many many changes.”
      Carla Ward says Birmingham will field a changed side when they play Coventry in the Women’s FA CupCredit: Zuma Press
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      I may not have hung up my boots in 2018 if Joe Montemurro was at Arsenal

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      IF Joe Montemurro had arrived at Arsenal one year earlier, I may not have hung up my boots in 2018. It was an emotional day when Joe announced this week that he would be stepping down as manager at the end of this season after three years in charge. 
      Joe Montemurro is leaving Arsenal to spend time with his familyCredit: Getty
      He’s doing it to recharge his batteries and spend more time with his family. 
      Before he got the job I remember meeting him for the very first time in a Holiday Inn in Borehamwood with Arsenal’s Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley. 
      The club was going through a bumpy transition after Pedro  Martinez Losa left in 2017 and we had not lifted the league trophy in five years. 
      I felt  anxious about who was going to lead the side, as I knew it was my last season before I retired. 
      But as soon as I met Joe that day I  knew he was the man for the job. 
      He radiates positivity and was incredibly devoted to the club, as a lifelong Gunners fan from Australia! 
      I remember walking away from that Holiday Inn thinking, ‘wow, we’ve found our man’. 
      I could tell he just knew how to move the women’s side forward. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders as I knew I was leaving Arsenal Women with an incredible, new leader. 
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      It was a hard time for him to come in because players like me, who had lived and breathed the Gunners since I was eight years old, were retiring.
      So Joe had to bring in fresh faces to keep up with  rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, while still upholding the Arsenal values. 
      But he managed to do it perfectly and all the players had a new-found love for training. 
      It was no surprise when he led the club to its first WSL title in seven years in 2019, then four cup finals and a Champions League quarter-final during three years. 
      There has been a huge outpouring of love from the players on Twitter and Leah Williamson described him as “the definition of a good man”.
      He wasn’t just a coach, he cared for the players, which is so  important in women’s football. 

      It’s a tough one to call as to who should take over when Joe officially leaves on May 31. 
      Whoever is taking on the job needs to once again move the club forward because they are likely to end this season without a trophy.   
      Also the new manager will need to keep the  senior star players  on board, as well as recruiting exciting  new faces.
      But the main thing is we don’t want Arsenal Women to be left behind as the WSL goes from strength to strength. 
      There’s no better time to get into women’s football, given the historic broadcasting deal with Sky Sports and the BBC. 

      But Arsenal Women have got to bring trophies back to the club. 
      When I was a player we used to laugh about our glittering trophy cabinet, because every year we would either win the league, the FA Cup or the League Cup. 
      So if the Gunners are coming away from this season without any silverware at all, then in my eyes they’ve got to do better.
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      Reading 0 West Ham 5: Thomas on fire for Irons as West Ham trounce Royals to leapfrog Aston Villa and Bristol

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      MARTHA THOMAS helped West Ham demolish Reading 5-0 to blow the WSL survival fight wide open. The Scotland forward’s stunning hat-trick was among the goals that saw the Irons crush the Royals to register their first WSL win under boss Olli Harder.
      West Ham have moved up to tenth in the table after their 5-0 win against ReadingCredit: Alamy
      Martha Thomas was in superb form for the Irons netting her first WSL hat-trick of the yearCredit: Rex
      The result means the Hammers move off the foot of the table, with Aston Villa now in the drop zone ahead of their clash with Everton.
      And it saw Thomas pick up her first three league goals of the year with the Hammers bouncing back from a 10-game winless run.
      Harder said: “It’s was a good win but there is a long road ahead for us. This will hopefully turn the corner for us to push on. 
      “We needed to get out and get on the front foot. 
      “It was a fantastic performance from Martha. As a striker, it’s been difficult for her in the last few matches or so, not scoring and obviously wanting to and creating good chances for herself. 
      “Today she managed to put three in the back of the net. 
      “That will do the world of good for her and we hope to ride that confidence now moving forward with Martha.”
      The Irons, whose last win was in November, were in devastating form and got off to a flier with Kenza Dali’s looping eighth-minute cross finding back of the net. 
      The visitors doubled their lead moments later.
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      West Ham’s win has heaped more pressure on their rivals in the bottom half of the tableCredit: Alamy

      This time with Kate Longhurst delivering a delightful chip across Reading’s penalty box for Katerina Svitkova to head home. 
      Shortly after, Thomas bundled in her first of the afternoon to make it three for the Hammers by the eleventh minute. 
      The striker was on target again minutes later combining in a slick one-two with Cecile Redisch to split Reading’s defence wide open shortly before the half-hour mark. 
      And Thomas picked up her hat-trick courtesy of a stylish chip over Grace Moloney in the 36th minute. 
      The second period saw Reading eager to bounce back.
      And they came close to pulling a goal back through Rachel Rowe’s curled effort in the 56th minute. 
      Angharad James would later force a save from Irons keeper Courtney Brosnan before Fara Williams’ thunderous free-kick rattled the crossbar in the 87th minute.  
      The Royals remain seventh following the defeat and face Birmingham after the international break with West Ham up against Aston Villa. 
      Reading will be looking to bounce back when they take on Birmingham after the international breakCredit: Alamy
      And Reading bid farewell to Wales ace Jess Fishlock who returns to her NWSL parent club OL Reign in the USA.   
      Reading manager Kelly Chambers said: “Jess has been great for me, great for the team and  I thank her for her service. 
      “The players are disappointed with the result and know that it should be better. People say it’s hard when you sit mid-table. 
      “You’re not fighting for anything near the top, you know you’re not fighting relegation but we’ve got to show pride to want to finish as high as we can.”
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The Royals have bid farewell to Jess Fishlock who is due to return to her parent club OL ReignCredit: Getty
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      Mark Clattenburg says Rebecca Welch becoming an EFL referee is a ‘stepping stone’ for football

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      MARK CLATTENBURG hailed Rebecca Welch’s EFL refereeing appointment as a major leap forward for the men’s game.The former Premier League ref was full of praise for Welch and believes her amazing feat will help women become more accepted in the sport.
      Welch is set make history when she becomes the first women to officiate a men’s EFL fixtureCredit: Reuters
      Welch, 37, currently the highest-ranked female official in the country, will preside over Harrogate Town’s League Two duel with Port Vale.
      Clattenburg, 46, said a woman officiating in a men’s match was unheard of in his day.
      The former Prem ref told Sky Sports: “Rebecca Welch is an amazing story because she didn’t start until 27 so this is very late.
      “To achieve what she has done in 10 years, I want to wish her the best because this is her first step.
      “I remember at 25 when I first refereed a football league game and that was unheard of.
      “To break those barriers is so important, so everybody will be watching Rebecca.
      “We all want to wish her well because this is the stepping stone that can enhance and make women more accepted in the men’s game.”
      Clattenburg knows exactly what it takes to succeed at the highest level of football officiating. 
      The Durham-born ref was in charge of the Champions League final and European Cup final in 2016, before retiring in 2017 ahead of a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
      Welch was selected for the role by referee chiefs Mike Riley and Mike Jones who have been assessing her performances on the pitch this season.
      But the former NHS administrator, who lives in Sunderland, wants the attention to be on the game and not who the ref is.
      She told Sky Sports: “A good game on Monday is, by 10 to five, they’re talking about the game and not about the ref.
      Clattenburg believes her appointment will help women become more accepted in men’s footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “I like the games when nobody remembers who the ref is.”
      Welch began her ascent in the game a decade ago as a Sunday League ref while working for the NHS.
      And what began as a dare from her pal has now become a sporting success story.
      Rebecca Welch is hoping she can inspire others after becoming the first female referee to be appointed to an EFL match More

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      Leicester Women’s boss wants to avenge loss to London City with Foxes on brink of WSL promotion

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      JONATHAN MORGAN is out for revenge against London City Lionesses with Leicester on the verge of sealing their dream promotion. An Easter Sunday win against the only team to have beaten the Foxes in the Women’s Championship would guarantee them a WSL spot. 
      Jonathan Morgan’s team could secure promotion to the Women’s Super League with a home win against London City LionessesCredit: Getty
      The Foxes have won 11 games on the bounce in the Women’s ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      The result would also see Leicester – who lost 4-1 to London City in December – claim the Women’s Championship title with two games left to play. 
      Morgan said: “I’ve said to the girls that I want to get a little bit of revenge for that loss to London City because it was such a, such a big loss for us and it was a bit unexpected. 
      “But it was also a sliding door moment in the season because it highlighted some of our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, which we were able to shore up as you can see in the 11 wins since.
      “We need to treat this game the same as we have treated all the others. 
      “We want to play our best and win the game, but obviously this week is different because those three points would secure the title. 
      “And it would be a fitting turnaround given the last game we lost was against London City.” 
      The Foxes, who are top of the table having won 14 clashes, have a five-point lead over their closest rivals Durham as well as a game in hand. 
      Victory in the first of their final three games this season would seal a return to the top-flight for former Reading and Everton aces Remi Allen and Kirstie Levell. 
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      London City defeated Leicester in the Women’s Championship in DecemberCredit: Rex
      Kirstie Levell is aiming to register her tenth clean sheet when Leicester play London CityCredit: Rex

      And goalkeeper Levell, 24, who won promotion to the WSL with the Toffees in 2017, wants her team-mates to savour the feeling should they win.  
      Levell, who made 51 Everton appearances from 2015 to 2020, has kept nine clean sheets in 14 second-tier games this season.
      The Foxes stopper said: “The last time I was in this position was back with Everton and I gained promotion with them during the Spring series in 2017. 
      “It was a very quick season. With successes like this, you have got to live in the moment and enjoy the feeling of it. 
      “Back then, I was only young and I thought these opportunities will always come around, but they really don’t and I’m 24 now so it’s been a good few years to try and win my next cup. 
      “Hopefully that can happen after this game.”
      This has been seven years in the making to get to the WSL – the pinnacle of the women’s gameJonathan Morgan
      A  move to the WSL would represent a remarkable rise for Leicester, who were competing in the fourth tier as recently as 2013.
      And gaffer Morgan and his family have been at the heart of the team’s evolution from a semi-pro side into a professional outfit. 
      And this season the club switched their training base to Leicester’s £100million Seagrave practice ground which was previously used by the Foxes’ Prem team. 
      Morgan added: “It’s not very often you get the opportunity to win a league or championship at the elite level.
      WSL promotion would cap a remarkable season for Leicester who were acquired by the owners of King Power stadium in 2020Credit: Rex
      “I told the players you have to make sure that you live in the moment and actually enjoy it, because 10 years down the line when you’re retired, you only have the memories.
      “This has been seven years in the making to get to the WSL – the pinnacle of the women’s game. 
      “I’m thoroughly excited but also a little bit nervous because you want to get over the line. It’s the most important game of my career.” 
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      WSL starlet Goodwin signs first professional deal with Aston Villa ahead of Everton clash

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      ISOBEL GOODWIN has landed her first senior contract with Aston Villa Women days before the team’s clash with Everton.The teenage striker, who is battling with a knee injury, shared her delight at signing with the WSL team with more than a thousand of her followers on Instagram.
      Goodwin has signed her first professional contract with Villa
      Goodwin, 19, said: “This is something I’ve dreamt of and worked very hard for. A proud moment for me and my family.
      “I wouldn’t be where I am now without all the support I’ve had from family, friends and coaches.
      “Determined more than ever to get back on the pitch.”
      Goodwin’s new deal sees her join rising stars Olivia McLoughlin and Freya Gregory in being promoted to Villa’s first-team squad this term.
      And it is thought Goodwin may have been in contention for a swifter move up the ranks had injury not hampered her progress.
      The Villa starlet is currently sidelined with knee cartilage problems and will miss the team’s must-win clash on Sunday with the Toffees who are fifth.
      But Goodwin is in good spirits and hopes to be back to full fitness to help her club – who are third from bottom – with their bid to avoid relegation.
      Aston Villa are looking to pick up their fourth win of the season when they take on EvertonCredit: Getty
      Goodwin added: “I tore my meniscus in my knee. I have been out for about five weeks now and have probably a few weeks left for recovery.
      “But I’m back on the pitch, been smashing it in rehab so everything’s going well so far.
      “I’m just hoping to impact the game with goals because that’s my main strength, because I’m a striker.
      “I hope to bring good work ethic and put a 100 per cent in everything I do.”
      Although Goodwin is yet to make a full appearance in Villa’s first-team line-up, she did feature as a sub in Marcus Bignot’s squad durin their 1-0 victory over Tottenham in February.
      And the team’s sporting director Eniola Aluko shared the forward’s enthusiasm about the deal.
      Aluko, 34, said: “We are delighted Izzy has signed her first professional contract with us.
      Mana Iwabuchi and her team-mates are looking to avoid relegation with Villa one point above bottom spotCredit: Getty

      “Izzy is a uniquely powerful talent, and is another that has demonstrated a consistent level of development and excellence in our academy.
      “We are excited for her to contribute to the ongoing progress of Aston Villa Women.
      “Izzy is another fantastic example of the club’s academy pathway, and we look forward to seeing her make her first-team debut in the near future.”
      Goodwin hopes to help her team maintain their place in the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Getty
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