Patten: 'Easy decision' to stay at Villa

Anna Patten admits it was an 'easy decision' to return to Aston Villa Women.

The defender has put pen-to-paper on a three-year contract following two separate loan spells with the club.

Patten first joined Villa on a short-term loan in 2022 before re-joining from Arsenal for the entire 2022/23 campaign.

The 24-year-old has made 33 appearances in all competitions across two seasons and has now committed her future to claret & blue.

And Patten discussed her development over the past season played a big part in her decision to re-sign.

“I felt like I really developed last season and I feel I can keep pushing with that and moving forward," assessed the defender.

"The coaches really helped me develop as a player. It’s great to be part of a team with such great quality."

"It’s easy to play well and develop when you have great players around you. That’s why it was an easy decision when it came to staying at Villa.”

Following two separate loan spells with the club, Patten knew a longer-term decision loomed towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

However, the choice the 24-year-old was going to have to make did not play into her thinking during the midst of the season.

"We had a goal here at the club to have a successful season," stated Patten.

"We had a lot of rhythm and a lot of good performances, so it was easy to stay in that zone."

"That was my main focus. I wasn’t looking too far ahead.”

You can watch Anna's interview, in full, below.