Aston Villa are making waves in the Women’s Super League transfer market, with a pair of bold moves that signal the club’s growing ambitions for the 2025-26 season. On January 10, 2026, Villa confirmed the imminent signing of Chelsea midfielder Oriane Jean-Francois on a permanent deal for a reported £450,000. This transfer is set to become a club record sale for Chelsea and represents a significant investment by Villa as they look to climb the Super League table.
Jean-Francois, a 24-year-old French international, arrived at Chelsea from Paris St-Germain in 2024. Despite her pedigree—having made 21 appearances for the France national team—she struggled to secure regular minutes at Stamford Bridge. The lack of consistent game time has prompted her move to Villa, where she is expected to play a much more prominent role. Villa’s management has clearly identified her as a key piece in their ongoing project to assemble a competitive squad capable of challenging the league’s established powers.
The signing of Jean-Francois is not the only headline-grabber for Villa this week. Earlier on Saturday, the club also secured the services of United States defender Jenna Nighswonger on loan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season. The deal includes an option to make the move permanent, giving Villa flexibility as they assess her fit within the squad. Nighswonger, 25, joined Arsenal from NWSL side Gotham FC in January 2025 for a fee of $100,000, but has found opportunities scarce in North London. She has featured just six times for Arsenal and played only 16 minutes in the Women’s Super League this season, a surprising downturn for a player of her caliber.
Villa’s director of women’s football, Marisa Ewers, expressed her excitement about the club’s latest acquisition. “We have been tracking her for some time and are delighted that she has bought into our exciting project,” Ewers said, emphasizing the club’s intent to continue building a squad with quality and ambition. “This signing forms part of our growing ambitions as we continue to build an exciting and competitive squad, and we believe Jenna will add real quality to the group and support our goals moving forward.”
Nighswonger’s career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. Selected fourth overall by Gotham FC in the 2023 NWSL Draft, she quickly made her mark by winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award and helping her side capture the NWSL championship in her debut campaign. Her performances earned her a call-up to the United States women’s national team, where she made her senior debut in 2023. She went on to collect 20 caps for the USWNT, playing a key role in the squad that clinched Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games.
However, Nighswonger’s fortunes at Arsenal have been less favorable. Since arriving in January 2025, she has struggled to break into the starting lineup, making just five appearances and only one start. Head coach Renée Slegers confirmed ahead of Arsenal’s match against Manchester United that Nighswonger would be leaving on loan, stating, “Jenna will not be in the squad tomorrow, and she’s close to a loan move.” The lack of club minutes has also impacted her international career; she has not represented the USWNT since February 2025 and has been left out of recent rosters under coach Emma Hayes.
Villa’s calculated risk in bringing in Nighswonger reflects their willingness to bet on proven talent that may have been underutilized elsewhere. It’s a move that mirrors their strategy with Jean-Francois, another player whose potential has yet to be fully realized in the English top flight. Both signings underscore Villa’s intent to shake up the established order and push for greater success in the Super League.
The club’s current league position—eighth, with three wins and four draws from their opening 11 matches—shows room for improvement, but also a foundation to build upon. With the addition of Jean-Francois and Nighswonger, Villa hope to inject new energy and experience into a squad that has already shown flashes of promise this season. The team returns to action against Brighton & Hove Albion, eager to see how the new arrivals will fit into manager Carla Ward’s plans.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been active in the transfer market themselves, bringing in Swedish defender Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby IF and locking head coach Renée Slegers into a contract extension through 2029. The Gunners also announced the appointment of former England international Jodie Taylor as their new technical director, a move designed to further strengthen their women’s football operations.
For Chelsea, the imminent departure of Jean-Francois marks the end of a brief and somewhat frustrating chapter. The Blues, who had high hopes for the French midfielder upon her arrival from PSG, have now set a new club record for outgoing transfer fees. While her time in West London did not yield the expected breakthrough, the move to Villa offers Jean-Francois a fresh start and the opportunity to reestablish herself as one of Europe’s top midfield talents.
As for Nighswonger, her switch to Villa is a chance to reignite the form that made her a standout in the NWSL and a key figure for the USWNT. With her versatility on the left flank and experience on the international stage, she could prove to be a game-changer for Villa as they look to climb the Super League ranks. The coming weeks will be crucial as both players settle into their new surroundings and aim to make an immediate impact.
Villa’s dual signings send a clear message to the rest of the league: the club is serious about contending, not just participating. With a blend of international pedigree, youthful energy, and a hunger to prove themselves, Jean-Francois and Nighswonger could be the catalysts that propel Villa to new heights. Fans will be eager to see how these moves pay off as the season unfolds, with the promise of more drama and excitement in the Women’s Super League ahead.
As the dust settles on a busy week at Bodymoor Heath, all eyes turn to the pitch. Will these high-profile additions spark a turnaround in Villa’s fortunes? The answer will start to reveal itself as the team resumes its campaign, bolstered by two of the most intriguing talents in the women’s game today.