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Saturday, May 9, 2026

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Lucy Staniforth calls time on career

Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth will hang up her boots at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing an end to a stellar 16-year long professional career.

The 33-year-old, known as ‘Stan’ throughout the women’s game, joined Villa back in January 2023 from Manchester United and quickly cemented her place in the heart of the team’s midfield.

She played 17 times in the second half of the 2022-23 campaign helping the club to their best-ever WSL finish as well as netting her first goal in Villa’s stunning 6-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Staniforth went onto make a further 38 appearances in the claret and blue over the next three seasons as she fought against injury setbacks to continue playing her part on the pitch, helping the team to memorable wins over Tottenham Hotspur (24/25), Crystal Palace (24/25) and Leicester City (23/24).

Not only a strong presence on the pitch, Staniforth also played a key part off it as a Villan, using her valuable experience in the game to help lead the team during good and difficult moments.

Staniforth began her playing career with local club Sunderland, making her senior debut aged only 16-years old. She went onto play an important part in the side during her maiden campaign, helping them lift the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division title as well as reaching the FA Cup Final.

The York-born midfielder made the switch to Lincoln ahead of the inaugural 2011 Women’s Super League season, a league she has been ever-present in since. After two years in the East Midlands, Staniforth made the move to Bristol Academy where she reached her second FA Cup final at only 21-years old, however she sustained a serious knee injury after turning awkwardly during the Final and this ruled her out for over a year, bringing an unfortunate end to her time with the Vixens.

Staniforth joined reigning league champions Liverpool in 2014 but the tenacious midfielder was forced to miss her first season with the Reds through injury, however she made her return in 2015 where she went on to feature 19 times across all competitions, including twice in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

A return to Sunderland was next for Staniforth in 2016, racking up 43 appearances across a two-year spell as well as being named club captain ahead of the 2017-18 season where she was awarded the team’s Player of the Season award.

A move back to the midlands was next as she joined Birmingham City for two seasons before making the switch to Manchester United in July 2020. Two and a half seasons with the Red Devils saw the veteran midfielder accumulate 39 appearances, scoring twice before making her final move to Villa.

Staniforth was also capped at senior level for England after representing the nation at under-17, under-19 and under-20 level. She made it a debut to remember on September 2018 as she scored in the 66th minute against Kazakhstan in the side’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying match.

The 208th player to represent England, Staniforth was selected for the 2019 World Cup squad out in France and came off the bench in their 3-0 win over Cameroon in the round of 16 game. She made a total of 17 appearances for England between 2018 and 2023, scoring twice.

Aston Villa Director of Women’s Football, Marisa Ewers said: “Having played alongside Stan, I know the qualities she brings both as a player and a person.

“She has been a valued part of the group during her time at Villa and while she will be greatly missed around the club, we wish her all the very best for the future.”

Aston Villa will celebrate and honour Staniforth’s incredible career at their final home game of the 2025-26 season against Arsenal at Villa Park on Saturday, May 9.

(avfc.co.uk)