By Paul Brown

Olivia Fergusson's quality performances at youth level have led to an elevation into the Villa Ladies first team - but she insists the real hard work starts now.

Fergusson, 17, has dazzled for the claret and blue centre of excellence side, impressing on the wing and down the middle as a forward.

Her displays over the past two seasons have resulted in promotion to the senior side.

But, instead of resting on her laurels, Fergusson is eager to continue her development.

She said: "I get into really good positions in front of goal because of my movement. I wasn't top scorer but I did finish my fair share last time out.

"But if you compare my goals ratio to my chances ratio, there's no doubt I need to work on my finishing. I am working on it.

"It's repetition. Repetitive practice. I practice at home playing against someone in goal and now we're back for pre-season I will step it up even more.

"It's not necessarily shooting. It's more one-on-one chances. Because I am quick I tend to get in behind but can sometimes panic in front of goal.

"Now I have moved up to the seniors I won't have as many chances against the better players and better sides so I definitely need to improve in that area."

Villa's centre of excellence side went through the campaign with thirteen wins and two draws - an incredible statistic.

In fact the title success was actually guaranteed with three games remaining. They won by eight points from nearest-rivals Birmingham City.

This led to six young female starlets signing senior forms for the coming season - Fergusson, Laura Cooper, Hayley Crackle, Bethan Merrick, Abbeyleigh Stringer and Aoife Mannion.

Fergusson is relishing the opportunity and thinks her nervousness at joining the elite side will be dampened because so many girls she knows are stepping up.

She continued: "I am really excited by the move up to the first team. I'm also a bit nervous too because it's a big step up.

"The ladies game in that league is completely different to what I've been playing in at the centre of excellence.

"We won our division so it's going to be so much harder for us because we're used to excelling all the time. There will be more pressure too.

"It's far more competitive because in the centre of excellence it's all about player development. But moving up into the first team you have to be fitter, faster, stronger to cope with the demands of the game.

"It will help that there are quite a few of us moving up together. I think as long as we can all cope with the step up, we will be fine. It won't be intimidating for any of us because we're all in together.

"All of us - all the ones who are moving up - are totally used to winning football matches. We have been very successful under Joe. And he has the same mentality as us. He just wants to win football games.

"The senior ladies are the same too. They have come a long way in a short space of time, being promoted and then finishing third in the national division. We should work really well together."

Fergusson is looking forward to linking up with new boss Hunt again, after enjoying his tutelage in the centre of excellence.

She added: "I have had two seasons with Joe and he's been great to work with. We have had a lot of success.

"It's a big step up for him too but I am confident he'll do brilliantly. It's challenge. You should relish challenges in life. It will be good.

"His sessions are really good. He's a great coach. He knows what he's talking about.

"He has a good aura. When he's explaining things to the ladies, they listen. They don't switch off.

"They want to hear what he's got to say. He wants to help the team but he's also big on helping individuals too.

"As I said earlier, I am a forward and I need to work hard on my finishing. I get the opportunities but don't finish enough. He has identified that and I am working on it. He wants progress for individuals and as a team."

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