Jenna Nighswonger Joins Aston Villa on Loan Amid Arsenal Challenges

After making only one substitute appearance for Arsenal this season, it was announced on Saturday that Jenna Nighswonger has joined Aston Villa until the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign. The agreement includes an option to buy, potentially concluding the USWNT star’s challenging tenure in north London.

“Everyone at Aston Villa is extremely excited to welcome Jenna to the club,” stated Marisa Ewers, Villa’s director of women’s football, upon the announcement. “We have been tracking her for some time and are delighted that she has embraced our exciting project. This signing is part of our growing ambitions as we continue to develop a competitive squad, and we believe Jenna will bring significant quality to the team and help us achieve our future goals.”

Twelve months ago, Nighswonger appeared to be a promising acquisition for Arsenal. She joined shortly after Renee Slegers was appointed as the permanent head coach, following an impressive interim period. It was anticipated that Nighswonger would embody a shift in playing style that aligned with Slegers’ vision.

However, the 25-year-old has only made six appearances for Arsenal since her arrival, with only two of those being starts. Five of her appearances occurred last season, and she has played just once in the ongoing 2025-26 season, coming on as a substitute in a match against Leicester. Her game time has been further restricted by the signing of Taylor Hinds, another full-back.

Nighswonger, who reportedly cost Arsenal a fee of $100,000 (£75,000), has faced challenges in securing a spot in the matchday squad under Slegers, which has consequently affected her international prospects. She has not received a call-up from USWNT head coach Emma Hayes since February, a situation she hopes to improve with this loan move.

Despite her struggles at Arsenal, Nighswonger is undoubtedly a talented player, and Aston Villa is eager to capitalize on her abilities. As a member of Gotham FC, she contributed to their NWSL Championship victory in 2023 and was part of the USWNT roster that secured gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Nighswonger is recognized as a dynamic full-back capable of influencing both defensive and offensive play.

Her experience will be crucial for Villa, who currently sit eighth in the WSL table. However, the team has shown promise under the recent leadership of head coach Natalie Arroyo, achieving notable victories against Arsenal and Manchester United. Consistency is needed, and the addition of skilled players like Nighswonger can enhance both the quality and depth of the squad.

Nighswonger marks Villa’s first signing of the January transfer window, but reports suggest that it will not be the last. BBC Sport has indicated that the club is also set to sign Chelsea midfielder Oriane Jean-Francois on a permanent deal worth £450,000 ($603,000), which would represent a record sale for Chelsea’s women’s team. Jean-Francois joined Chelsea in the summer of 2024 from Paris Saint-Germain but has faced stiff competition for a starting position, particularly from England international Keira Walsh. Nonetheless, she has demonstrated her sharpness and talent when given playing time. Like the Nighswonger transfer, acquiring Jean-Francois reflects Villa’s strategy of tapping into the deep rosters of top WSL clubs and could further bolster their quest to ascend the league table.