Lucia Kendall on Her Rapid Rise, England Breakthrough, and Ambitions with Aston Villa

Lucia Kendall's first season in the Women’s Super League was extraordinary. The 22-year-old midfielder joined Aston Villa from Southampton last July, stepping up from WSL 2 where she had spent five years gaining experience since debuting at 16. Just weeks into her debut season at Villa Park, Kendall earned a call-up to the England senior squad by Sarina Wiegman and soon after made her full international debut against Australia, winning Player of the Match honors.

Her breakthrough continued as she scored for England in a friendly win over Ghana at St. Mary's, her former club ground, and featured in the crucial World Cup qualifier against Spain at Wembley, which England won 1-0. Kendall describes the whirlwind season as "crazy," admitting she still finds it hard to fully grasp all she has achieved.

From Southampton to the Top Flight

Despite being new to the top flight, Kendall's extensive lower-league experience helped prepare her well. She reflects that playing through the tiers from four to two taught her to take responsibility early on. Off the pitch, adapting to life away from home proved more challenging, but she feels she is finally settling into her new environment.

International Impact and Growing Confidence

Joining the Lionesses during their European Championship defense presented high standards, but Kendall handled her rise calmly. When asked if she feels like an England player, she laughs and admits that reality hasn’t fully set in yet. Still, she balances confidence with respect for the significance of representing her country, a mindset that helped her deliver strong performances from the start.

The Importance of Trust

Kendall credits much of her progress to the trust placed in her by coaches. England boss Sarina Wiegman reassured her before her debut that she deserved her place, reinforcing Kendall’s belief. At club level, Aston Villa manager Natalia Arroyo is known for nurturing young talent, and Kendall valued the confidence that performing well would earn her starting opportunities.

Looking Ahead: Goals and Growth

With a solid first season behind her, Kendall is focused on contributing more decisively this year. Instead of just aiming to "survive" the WSL, she wants to influence games through goals, assists, and creative risk-taking. Her ambition is to master all midfield roles, having played deeper at Villa, box-to-box with England, and as a No. 10 earlier in her career, where she scored 21 goals in 24 games during a promotion campaign.

The 2027 Women’s World Cup and Future Focus

Though the upcoming World Cup in Brazil is a key motivator, Kendall stays grounded. She acknowledges the many factors required to make the squad and stresses taking things one day at a time without pressure. For now, her priority is helping Aston Villa improve on last season’s ninth-place finish by raising intensity and standards within the team. The World Cup remains her "north star," guiding her efforts on and off the pitch.