Leat hero of the hour for Villa
A FORMER Otago junior star was the talk of the football world yesterday.
Football Ferns goalkeeper Anna Leat was the hero of the hour for English club Aston Villa as it knocked powerhouse Manchester United out of the Continental League Cup.
Leat — on debut, after transferring on a twoyear deal from West Ham — saved no fewer than four penalties as Aston Villa won the shootout 43.
She was mobbed by her ecstatic teammates at Bescot Stadium.
Leat (21) was born and raised in Arrowtown, but moved with her family to Auckland when she was 12.
She later played college football for Georgetown University in the United States before pursuing her professional career in England.
Leat made her debut for the Football Ferns at the age of 16, and will return to international duties for a friendly this Sunday.