Wilkinson’s Razor-Sharp

An interview with Sheffield United’s vice-captain and number nine, second in the FA Women’s Championship when the season was suspended, on a return of 20 goals in 21 starts. Wilkinson describes feeling stale at London Bees after an 18-month ankle injury, going home to Birmingham to work out what she wanted from football, and a phone call from manager Carla Ward while she was walking in a park that reignited her spark. She addresses the awkwardness of Aston Villa, the club she supported and played for over some 14 years from the age of eight, leading the promotion race. Her goals break down as 11 right-footed, three left-footed, five headers and one with her backside; a first senior hat-trick against Leicester and a Continental Cup strike against Liverpool are favourites. She recalls Leandra Little’s halfway-line knee-slide when Jade Pennock scored that winner.