Following a disappointing ninth-place finish in the Women's Super League last season, Aston Villa have embarked on a major rebuilding project by recruiting heavily from Scandinavia. The club signed eight senior players this summer, including four Scandinavians - three from Norway and one from Denmark - marking a significant shift in their recruitment strategy.

The new signings include Norway internationals Mathilde Harviken, Kamilla Melgard, and Justine Kielland, along with Denmark striker Amalie Vangsgaard. These additions aim to fill gaps left by departures such as Kirsty Hanson and Ebony Salmon, as well as the retirement of Lucy Staniforth. Villa now have the fourth-largest Scandinavian contingent in the WSL behind Tottenham, Manchester United, and Liverpool.

Manager Natalie Arroyo and her recruitment team believe the Scandinavian players bring valuable experience and physicality to the league. The players themselves cite England's competitive nature as an attractive factor for development. Several new signings, including Harviken and Vangsgaard, previously played together at Juventus, which could aid integration.

With 18 of their 27 senior players joining since 2025, Villa is undergoing a comprehensive transformation. Veteran players like Anna Patten, Missy Bo Kearns, and Rachel Daly are expected to mentor the newcomers. The club aims to return to the 'best of the rest' conversation and potentially challenge for European qualification spots.