Ellie Roebuck Thrilled to Join Ambitious Aston Villa After Barcelona Experience

After spending a year in Barcelona, England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck returned to the WSL in the summer with a renewed perspective and ambition.

The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal with Aston Villa in July after her contract with the Catalan giants was terminated, arriving in Birmingham with clear goals for the next phase of her career.

Ellie Roebuck on her WSL Return

“It’s such a competitive league and full of talented players, so I’m excited to be competing in that,” Roebuck shared regarding her return to England. “Being a little closer to home is always nice too.”

“The club’s really ambitious and the project is super exciting. There’s a good mix of senior, experienced players and young players. It was the perfect fit for what I want to achieve and to be part of something that’s on an upward trajectory.”

Roebuck, who recently earned her first call-up to the England squad since her stroke in November, expressed her excitement about returning to the WSL. The Lionesses' success in last summer’s European Championship further enhances the league's allure this season.

“Every fixture is difficult and, off the back of the Euros, the crowds are elevated again,” she added. “Being out of it for so long and watching it from the side, you can see that shift and the improvements.”

Roebuck’s transition to Villa follows the appointment of new manager Natalia Arroyo, who previously managed Espanyol for five seasons.

“She came in at a difficult period last year and did really well, but it’s good for her to start with a fresh group and be able to take the time to put in place her ideas,” Roebuck remarked. “From my first meetings with her, the project was appealing and made me want to sign.”

After spending a year in Spain, Roebuck is also keen to improve her Spanish. “I did say that I need to keep practising with her! I’m not so confident speaking, but I definitely understand a lot more than when I went,” she confessed. “It’s something that I definitely want to develop because I’d love to live in Spain in the future. It’s an amazing place with great people.”