Academy graduate Rachel Maltby signed her first professional contract with Aston Villa in March 2025.

The full-back had progressed through the club's RTC and made her senior debut in a 5-2 WSL win over Arsenal at Villa Park in April 2025.

Maltby soon settled into senior football and went on to feature 12 times for Villa during the first-half of the 25/26 campaign.

The 19-year-old netted her first goal in style as she found the back of the net in the 90th minute in a 3-3 draw against Second City rivals Birmingham City in the Women's League Cup in November 2025.

Maltby was a part of the England under-17 squad at the 2024 World Cup and regularly captains the Young Lionesses at under-20 level.