Watching this Aston Villa Women's side under Natalia Arroyo has been a joy. This will now be a new-look team following the departure of many important players. The remaining corps from last year, however, will look to continue a lot of that positive momentum into the beginning of the fresh season.
Among some of the changes, Katie Robinson is expected to be playing elsewhere for the 2025-2026 campaign. Based on a report from the BBC's Emma Sanders, Everton are close to finalizing a loan agreement for the England international. Still only 22, Robinson is someone who offers a lot of promise and has shown her ability to play at the needed WSL level of play.
Everton is looking to capitalize on one of the bright emerging talents in England. Having finished eighth last season in the standings, the Toffees are looking to make an extra push that sees them closer to the top sides in the WSL. With someone like Robinson, the attack would receive an instant option with experience that can contribute meaningful minutes right away.
Being able to be in a situation in which Robinson appears to have something of a path to be a regular member in the starting XI is a good option for the English outside midfielder.
Overall strength of Aston Villa Women
Villa agreeing to this proposal shows how much faith they have in the rest of their roster. While Arroyo would, of course, have preferred to keep Robinson available and see her fight for a spot as a consistent starter, the Spaniard also knows that there are plenty of options still at the club that have played well together and will be able to make up for the absence of Robinson while she is away at Everton.
To this point it has been a quiet summer for Villa in terms of incoming players. In the event that there aren't any new additions, as mentioned, Villa and Arroyo will be just fine. This is a good roster that is ready to showcase that the end of the 2024-2025 season was far from a one-off.