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

At just 22 years old, Lucia Kendall has seen a whirlwind rise through football ranks, breaking into both the Aston Villa first team and the England Lionesses. Her debut season in the Women’s Super League (WSL) was so impressive that Sarina Wiegman called her up to the national squad mere weeks after the campaign began. Despite this rapid progress, she admits it still feels surreal to be a full Lioness.

From Southampton Roots to Premier League Breakout

Kendall’s journey started at Southampton, where she made her senior debut at 16 and gained valuable experience over five seasons in WSL 2. Last July, she moved to Villa, stepping up to the top tier of English women’s football. Just one month after her WSL debut against Chelsea, she earned a call-up to the England senior team, making her full debut against Australia and earning Player of the Match honors. She then scored at St. Mary’s during a friendly win over Ghana and featured in a tight 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Spain at Wembley.

“Crazy,” Kendall says when reflecting on her season filled with milestones. “Even now, I look back and can’t really take it all in.”

Experience and Adaptation

The midfielder credits her time at Southampton for building the foundation that helped her adjust quickly to the pace of the WSL. Having played across multiple tiers as a teenager gave her moments to take control of games early on, something not many players get so young. Off the pitch, adapting to living away from home presented the biggest challenge in her first season at the highest level.

International Breakthrough

Kendall’s introduction to England came just months after the Lionesses secured their second consecutive European Championship title. She approached the international stage with confidence yet remains humble about her status, saying she doesn’t fully feel like an England player just yet. Striking a balance between confidence and understanding the pressure of representing her country has helped her deliver standout performances early in her international career.

Trust from Coaches Key to Progress

Coach support has played a big role in Kendall’s development. Sarina Wiegman’s belief in her ability was clear when the manager reassured her before her debut, telling Kendall she deserved to be there. At club level, Villa’s Natalia Arroyo is known for nurturing young talent, giving them minutes and investing time to understand each player’s mindset. Kendall felt confident signing for Villa knowing strong performances would earn her starts.

Looking Ahead: Raising Standards at Villa

After surviving her first WSL season, Kendall’s focus has shifted to thriving. Villa aims to climb higher than last year’s ninth-place finish and push standards within the club by increasing intensity and mutual accountability. Kendall wants to make a bigger impact on matches, whether by scoring, assisting, or taking more risks to break defensive lines instead of settling for safe passes.

Versatility in Midfield

Kendall’s goal is to master all three midfield roles effectively. While she played deeper at Villa last season, enjoying dictating tempo, her England appearances have mostly been box-to-box, where she feels most comfortable. Earlier in her career at Southampton, she thrived as a No.10, scoring 21 goals in 24 games during a promotion-winning season. She aims to become the kind of player who can adapt anywhere in midfield.

The 2027 World Cup: Her North Star

The upcoming Women’s World Cup in Brazil next summer drives Kendall’s ambition but she keeps her daily focus on club success. She recognizes that many factors must align to earn a spot in the squad and stresses the importance of maintaining confidence, physical fitness, and mental strength. For now, her priority is helping Aston Villa succeed and contributing as much as possible on the pitch.

“The World Cup gives me direction,” Kendall explains. “But every day I can’t put pressure on myself. I just take it one day at a time and aim to play a big part in Villa’s success.”