Anna Patten is ‘excited’ to return to league action as Aston Villa travel to take on Everton in the Women’s Super League this evening.
The Villans’ last in league game was five weeks ago when they defeated West Ham United 3-1 at Villa Park.
The side also head into today’s clash in strong form having picked up three wins from their last three games and Patten states that they are ‘ready’ for the challenge ahead of them today.
The defender said: “We’re really excited.
“We’re coming off the back of a good few wins so there’s a good vibe within the team.
“Whenever you’re winning there’s always a good feeling within the team and you just want to carry that run of form on.
“We’re ready for this game.”
Villa have tasted victory in their last three away outings against Everton which Patten believes they can use as confidence heading into this evening’s clash.
“We like a game at Walton Hall Park,” the 25-year-old light-heartedly said.
“We’re confident but they’ve obviously made quite a few new signings so they’re going to be a team that we don’t really know much about.
“But we’re adaptable within a game and we’re ready to take them on.”
Patten has been at the heart of the side’s run of form and has become a key figure in the Claret and Blue since joining permanently back in 2023 following two loan spells.
The Ireland international was the only Villan to start every game in 2024 as she helped the side to clean sheets and wins.
Reflecting on that feat, Patten said: “I didn’t actually know that stat until it popped up on Instagram.
“It was a good year in the sense that I stayed fit and healthy and that is something I definitely want to take into 2025.
“I think playing international football is something that really took me to the next step in my game.
“I think there a lot of things I still want to get better at but I’m glad that I’m playing a lot of football as that’s what I’m here to do.”
Patten also shared what her aspirations are for the new calendar year.
“Within the league we obviously want to carry on this good run of form, we want to keep a lot of clean sheets and maybe get a cheeky few headers,” the centre back said.
“But I just want to stay fit, healthy and available like I was last year – that is something I really want to carry on.”
Anna Patten looks to Everton
