World Football News
The 18-Year-Old Aston Villa Star Who Could Solve England’s Long-Standing Left-Back Problem
Rachel Maltby has emerged as a potential solution to one of the Lionesses’ most persistent problems. that is England’s lack of natural left-back options.
The 18-year-old Aston Villa defender has become a regular starter at left wing-back this season despite only making her senior debut in April. Her rapid progression has caught the attention of those within the England set-up, with Sarina Wiegman already handing opportunities to several Young Lionesses this month including Villa teammate Lucia Kendall.
From Boys’ Football to Villa Breakthrough
Born in Northamptonshire, Maltby played for Long Buckby’s boys’ team from under-six level before transitioning to girls’ football when Villa’s men’s team scout spotted her playing for Rushden & Diamonds. She initially played as a winger or striker before England U17s coach Natalie Henderson converted her into a left-back.
That positional switch proved crucial. Maltby played a key role in the Young Lionesses reaching the U17 Euros final and World Cup semi-finals last year, before helping secure qualification for next year’s U20 World Cup via this summer’s U19 Euros.
Natalia Arroyo’s Trust Paying Dividends
Villa boss Natalia Arroyo has a track record of developing young talent, and she’s shown real faith in Maltby. “She takes the time to understand you as a person,” the teenager explains. “She takes the time to speak to us and kind of understand us a little bit more as people, off the pitch and on the pitch.”
Maltby made her debut in Villa’s stunning 5-2 win over Arsenal in April, just weeks before the Gunners beat Barcelona to win the Champions League. After her first full pre-season with the senior squad, she’s now competing with Switzerland international Noelle Maritz for the starting spot.
The Casparij Comparison
Maltby shares similarities with Manchester City’s Kerstin Casparij in her positional awareness and efficiency covering ground. Her athleticism allows her to get up and down the pitch with ease, while her previous experience as an attacking player shines through in the final third.
With just 11 senior games under her belt, Maltby admits she’s still adapting to the defensive demands and physicality of senior football. But her commitment to learning, she’d watch back Maz Pacheco and Paula Tomas when not playing last season, suggests she’ll continue improving rapidly.
Also read: Freya Godfrey Thought England Call-Up Was Spam: “I Don’t Answer Numbers I Don’t Know
World Football News
Izzy Goodwin Signs New London City Lionesses Contract After Championship Golden Boot Heroics: Details, Duration and More
Izzy Goodwin has committed her future to London City Lionesses by signing a contract extension through summer 2028, rewarding the England U23 international forward for her pivotal role in firing the club into the WSL.
The 24-year-old joined London City in September 2024 and immediately made her mark on the Championship. She finished as the second tier’s top scorer with 16 goals while earning the Player of the Season award as the Lionesses secured promotion to the Barclays WSL.
Goodwin’s outstanding campaign saw her overtake established strikers to claim the golden boot in a competitive Championship season. Her goals proved decisive in London City’s promotion push, with the forward finding the net consistently throughout the campaign.
“I Can Call This Home”
Speaking to londoncitylionesses.com after signing her new deal, Goodwin expressed her delight at extending her stay. “I feel like this is a place that I can call home. I’m really enjoying my time here and I’m absolutely delighted to sign a new contract,” she said.
The contract extension represents a significant statement of intent from both player and club. London City have secured their star striker for the long term, while Goodwin has committed to leading the line in their maiden WSL campaign.
WSL Ambitions Clear
Goodwin outlined her immediate objectives following the contract extension. “Doing the best I can in the WSL and hopefully scoring as many goals as I can are my immediate aims. I just want to help the team win games to give us the best chance of being successful.”
The forward’s goals will be crucial as London City navigate their first season in the top flight. Newly promoted sides often struggle to replicate their Championship form in the WSL, but Goodwin’s proven scoring ability gives the Lionesses genuine hope of survival.
From Championship Hero to WSL Striker
Goodwin’s journey to the WSL has been rapid. Her 16-goal haul in the Championship demonstrated she possesses the clinical finishing and movement required at the highest level. Now she faces the ultimate test, proving she can deliver against elite WSL defenses week in, week out.
The three-and-a-half-year contract suggests London City view Goodwin as a cornerstone of their long-term project. Her combination of youth, proven goalscoring and England U23 recognition makes her exactly the type of player promoted clubs need to retain as they establish themselves in the top division.
World Football News
How Long Has Ruesha Littlejohn Been Banned for After Wild Takedown as FA Deems Standard Punishment “Clearly Insufficient”
Ruesha Littlejohn will serve a five-match suspension after the FA successfully argued that the standard three-game ban for violent conduct was “clearly insufficient” following her red card incident with Leicester City‘s Hannah Cain.
The Crystal Palace midfielder was sent off in the 58th minute of a Women’s League Cup clash on November 23 after what social media described as a “WWE-style takedown” of Cain. Despite Littlejohn denying the FA’s claim that her offense warranted extended punishment, the regulatory commission upheld the decision on Friday.
The FA’s statement confirmed: “The standard punishment for violent conduct is a three-match ban, but the FA claimed that this penalty is clearly insufficient, and Ruesha Littlejohn subsequently denied this claim. The regulatory commission upheld the claim; set aside the standard punishment and imposed the five-match suspension following a hearing.”
What Actually Happened?
The incident unfolded after Leicester’s Olivia McLoughlin tangled with Crystal Palace’s Annabel Blanchard. Cain stepped in between the pair to defuse the situation, prompting Littlejohn to nudge her. Cain responded with a push to the back of the Republic of Ireland midfielder.
Littlejohn then grabbed Cain around the head and wrestled her to the ground in full view of the officials. Despite the red card, Crystal Palace still won 3-0 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.
Littlejohn: “I Let My Emotions Spill Over“
Speaking at a Republic of Ireland press conference, the 35-year-old admitted she regrets the incident. “I’m quite an emotional person and player. That’s not who I want to be on the pitch, so I will learn from it and move forward,” Littlejohn said.
Ireland head coach Carla Ward defended her player while condemning the online abuse she’s received since. “She’s a human being. She’s someone’s daughter and sister. It’s not okay,” Ward said. “Some of the stuff I’ve seen this week has been disgusting.”
Ward’s comments came after Keira Walsh revealed that the majority of WSL players have received online abuse.
Fixtures Littlejohn Will Miss
The extended ban means Littlejohn will miss Crystal Palace’s WSL 2 clashes with Birmingham City, Bristol City and Sheffield United in the new year, plus their FA Cup tie with Lewes and a League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. The commission will explain its decision in writing in due course.
World Football News
What Happened to Scarlette Slater-Rowley? All About Why The Goalkeeper Was Laid Unconscious
Doncaster Rovers Belles’ match against Norton and Stockton Ancients was abandoned on Sunday after goalkeeper Scarlette Slater-Rowley suffered a serious head and neck injury following an accidental collision.
The incident occurred in the 68th minute at Millmoor with Belles trailing 2-1. Slater-Rowley was knocked unconscious after an accidental knee to the head and neck from an opposition player, with blood coming from her nose immediately raising concerns about the severity of the injury.
Doncaster Belles Goalkeeper Left Unconscious After Horrific Collision Forces Match Abandonment
Players around the incident immediately signalled for assistance, with physios from both clubs rushing to provide care. Norton and Stockton player Erin Green, a qualified doctor who came through the Belles Academy, also helped treat Slater-Rowley on the pitch.
40-Minute Wait for Ambulance
An ambulance was called immediately but took approximately 40 minutes to arrive at the ground. Slater-Rowley received treatment on the pitch for a further 20 minutes before being taken away just after 3:30pm for assessment, accompanied by Belles physio Lydia Wade.
The club confirmed officials contacted Slater-Rowley’s parents, with Wade reporting the goalkeeper was conscious and talking while awaiting an MRI scan. The lengthy delay in emergency services arriving raises questions about response times to sporting incidents.
Match Context Overshadowed
Before the injury, Norton and Stockton had dominated proceedings. Eve Marshall opened the scoring inside the first minute, before Bianca Owens doubled the visitors’ advantage with a header before the half-hour mark. Jodie Gregory pulled one back with a free-kick in the second half before the collision occurred.
Belles’ statement thanked everyone involved in the aftermath: “We wish to send our heartfelt thanks to all those involved in the aftermath of the incident, which saw medical staff alerted quickly, as well as those who carried out treatment.”
The club promised a further update on Slater-Rowley’s condition “when possible.” Belles are scheduled to visit Durham Cestria next Sunday (December 7).
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