Roebuck excited to be back in the WSL

Under the leadership of Natalia Arroyo, Aston Villa Women is a project that Ellie Roebuck could not turn down. The goalkeeper is the club’s newest recruit putting pen-to-paper on a two-year deal following her departure from FC Barcelona. Speaking with VillaTV on her first day at Bodymoor Heath, Roebuck said: “I’m really excited, it’s a project that I’m looking forward to being involved with. “Ready to get going now, just keep moving forward, meet the girls and hit the ground running. “I looked at the way they finished the season last year and it was really positive, exciting and hopefully we can look to build on that again this year.” After a season playing in Liga F in Spain, the 25-year-old is looking forward to returning to Women’s Super League football. “It’s an unbelievable league, super competitive and I’ve been watching from afar so it will be nice to get back, be involved and hopefully help this club move forward,” she shared. Roebuck is up for the fight of competing for that starting goalkeeper spot as she reveals her personal aspirations for the upcoming campaign. She said: “As a goalkeeper it’s always difficult as there’s one place and everyone’s fighting for that. “But I’m excited to work with the other goalkeepers and hopefully we can all help push and challenge each other. “Of course, I have my own individual aspirations, I want to be playing football, and I want to contribute on the pitch to help the team. “So, from that point of view I’m looking forward to working hard and showing what I can do.” Roebuck is also looking forward to building a strong bond with the goalkeeper union as she believes they can push each other to their best. “I’ve been pretty lucky as I’ve always had good goalkeeper unions and good relationships with goalkeepers I have worked with and I’m sure that will be no different here,” she shared. “But it’s about challenging each other, pushing each other and that will only benefit the team in the long run.” This move will reunite Roebuck with past and present England teammates, and she reveals the conversations she had with them ahead of signing. The keeper said: “I spoke to Rach (Daly) and I spoke to Missy (Kearns) and both of them have really high praise. “So, it’s a project I am looking forward to getting onboard with, it’s nice to have some familiar faces as well to help me integrate within the group.” After a year plying her trade with Spanish giants Barcelona, Roebuck is keen to bring that experience to Villa. “I loved my year in Spain, I think it helped develop me both on the pitch and off the pitch as a person. “I played with some unbelievable players, but I like to think now that I can use that experience and bring that to not only help me but to help the team. “I’ve spoken with the coach (Natalia Arroyo) and I got really positive vibes from that so I’m excited to start working with her,” she added. “I think we both share playing styles and hopefully I can help contribute to that.” Gracing Villa Park as a Villan is also a thought that excites the new addition. Roebuck said: “It’s an amazing, traditional, English football stadium with all the heritage and history so I’m super excited. “It’s always been a good atmosphere when I’ve played there before and when I’ve come to watch the men’s games.”