Aston Villa Women’s footballer Marisa Ewers has been a key part of the Villa team that secured promotion to the FA Women’s Super League this season after being crowned champions of the FA Women’s Championship.

She has played for Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, Birmingham City and also represented Germany at youth level in the past.

Here, she talks about her passion, juggling higher education with football and her favourite moment from the season among other things.

You started playing football at the age of 8, What is it that got you into football?

“My cousins taught me how to kick the ball hard.
You would always find me outside playing on the streets with friends from my neighbourhood.
One day a coach watched me playing with a group of friends and asked me to join a local boys' team, that’s how it all began.”

Growing up, who were your role models in the footballing world?

“In my early days Mehmet Scholl was one of my idols.
He played for Bayern Munich and I had a couple of pictures of him on my wall.
I also admired Zinedine Zidane as he was a brilliant central midfielder (I play in that position that as well).
I liked the way he used to read the game and his elegance on the ball.”

Mehmet Scholl for Bayern Munich - Via barvarianfootballworks.com/Getty Images

After starting your career in Germany, you have been playing in England in recent years, what do you think are the major differences in the style of play in the leagues in England and Germany?

“The league in Germany has a long history of semi-professional women’s football.
A lot of clubs tried to offer great development for young players. Technical and tactical elements have been important. The quality of coaching has been high.
The FA Women’s Super League was only started a couple of years ago.
It has made a massive step forward and is the first fully professional league in Europe. The investment is higher than in Germany and players come from all over the world.
In terms of coaching there is room for development but women’s football in England is on the rise, so I am assuming the quality of coaching will progress quickly as well.”

Marisa in action for Leverkusen - Via Bayer Leverkusen Twitter @Bayer04Fussball

You have an MSc in Sports management from Birkbeck, University of London.

How did you manage to balance your studies effectively with sports and do you have any tips for people who plan to pursue higher education alongside their training?

“I was lucky that my club supported me with this.
Whenever I had to leave training earlier to catch the train to London the coaches would let me leave. Birkbeck offers an evening course which is very helpful if you want to juggle professional football with studies.
The FA push women’s football and they would like to see it fully professional, however, I think it is vital that the girls and women do not stop their education. There is always a way and a lot of clubs look to support the players.
At Aston Villa our Sporting Director, Eniola Aluko, is great with this. She initiated the program ‘Student of the Game’ and wants to give players a platform to develop off the pitch.
That’s also why I am looking to do another Master's degree, this time in Sporting Directorship with the VSI.”

You have worked on multiple internships and scouting projects with the clubs that you have been with, with your high qualifications, have you thought about a career in this field after football?

“Aston Villa are giving me the opportunity to get work experience and to explore different departments within the club. I am currently working as the Team Analysis and Operations Officer (Women).
I have just been accepted on another course (MSc Sport Directorship, VSI Executive Education) and I think that will give me an idea of how to lead a club from that perspective.
I definitely see myself in the sporting/footballing industry after my playing career.”

It has been a great season for the Aston Villa Ladies team, winning the FA Women's Championship and securing promotion to the FA Women's Super League, what has been your favourite moment from the current season?

“My favourite moment this season has been our video call, when our Manager, Gemma Davies, announced that we had earned promotion to the FA Women’s Super League.
This was such a relief. Finally, we had got the positive news and could start planning for the new season.
I can’t wait to get started with this group and I look forward to challenge myself in the highest division in England.”

Six Questions: Marisa Ewers of Aston Villa