Aston Villa Women were announced as champions of the FA Women’s Championship on Friday.
And despite not being able to celebrate with supporters on the pitch, the players were delighted that their efforts had been rewarded.
Villa were six points clear at the top with six games to play when the season was ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Marisa Ewers, Emma Follis and Amy West spoke to Villa TV after the club’s promotion had been confirmed.
Ewers said: “Everyone would have loved to have celebrated this on the pitch together and had the last moment at the final whistle together.
“But we have to take it as it is, and I’m chuffed. I’m so proud of this team. We put so much effort in.
“It’s the best decision I’ve made [joining Aston Villa] and it’s been amazing to be part of this club.”
Both Ewers and Follis moved over from Birmingham City in the summer, with the latter returning to the club she began her career at.
Born in Sutton Coldfield and a lifelong Villa fan, Follis was proud to have helped the club reach the Super League.
She said: “Seeing the club kid of potter around in WSL2 and not really progressing to now being in the top league, where a big club like Aston Villa should have their women’s team, is great.
“To have come back and been a part of it is a dream come true. Obviously, we dreamed of it [winning the title] to be different to this, but in these circumstances, you can’t do much more than be happy.
“I feel like we put ourselves in the best position and we wouldn’t be where we are now if we hadn’t had such a good first three-quarters of the season.”
Homegrown midfielder West is one a of a number of players in the squad who have never played in the top tier before.
However, she’s relishing the challenge and believes the team will thrive under Head Coach Gemma Davies’ stewardship.
West said: “I see it as a challenge that I’ve always wanted to take. I’m really excited and I know it’s going to be the best time for me to learn, grow and develop as a player.
“Gemma’s instilled a confidence in me that I’d lost in previous seasons, just through how personable she is and how she sees a value in every single player.
“To have played a part in this is so significant to me and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see how far this team can go next season.”
