Maya Hijikata

Maya Hijikata is a dynamic midfielder currently showcasing her skills with Aston Villa in the Women's Super League. Born in Japan, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, known for her relentless work ethic, perfectly embodies the “Worker” archetype on the field. Despite having played only 8 games this season, accumulating a total of 670 minutes, Hijikata has made significant contributions to her team's overall strategy and execution. While she has yet to score or assist in her appearances, her ability to impact play is evident through her tactical intelligence and persistent energy.

A closer look at Hijikata's performance statistics reveals her key strengths and areas of influence in the midfield. With an average expected goals (xG) per game of 0.11 and 0.75 shots per game, Hijikata is not the primary scorer but plays an essential role in build-up plays. Her impressive progressive passing distance of 77.66 meters per game highlights her knack for maintaining forward momentum and linking up plays across the midfield. Defensively, her playmaking capabilities shine through her 2.54 possession-adjusted interceptions per game and a solid challenge success rate of 45%, emphasizing her defensive work rate and ability to disrupt the opposition's play. With an estimated transfer value of €313K, Maya Hijikata is undoubtedly a promising talent in the arena of women's football, contributing significantly to Aston Villa’s midfield dynamism.