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

At just 22, Lucia Kendall has experienced a stunning rise in women’s football. After a breakout season with Aston Villa and an England call-up early in the 2025-26 Women’s Super League campaign, she is setting her sights on solidifying her place for next summer’s Women’s World Cup squad.

Kendall’s ascent has been swift and full of milestones. She moved from Southampton, where she debuted at 16 and played five seasons in lower divisions, to Villa last July. Within months, after her first WSL appearance against Chelsea, she earned a senior England call-up, made her debut against Australia, and was named Player of the Match.

She then returned to Southampton's stadium with the Lionesses and scored in a friendly win over Ghana. These standout moments continued when she started against Spain at Wembley during World Cup qualifiers, helping England secure a 1-0 victory.

Reflecting on a Whirlwind Year

Kendall describes her past season as "crazy," admitting it still feels unreal. Having started 16 of Villa's 22 league matches, she acknowledges the challenges but remains grounded.

She says playing for England opened her eyes to what she'd always dreamed of and, surprisingly, helped her relax and enjoy the experience rather than feel overwhelmed.

Building Foundations Through Experience

Before stepping into the top tier, Kendall developed through the English football pyramid, gaining valuable senior experience across various levels. This background prepared her for the pace of the WSL.

Adapting to life away from home proved tougher than the football itself, but her time at Southampton laid the groundwork for success at Villa. Even playing in lower leagues, she had moments as a teenager where she needed to lead on the pitch, which set her apart.

Thriving on the International Stage

While Kendall’s club career was evolving, the Lionesses were capturing European glory. Her England debut came shortly after, and although it still feels surreal, she displays maturity and confidence representing her country.

She knows confidence is key but balances that with respect for the game's importance. This mindset helped her deliver strong performances right from the start.

The Importance of Trust from Coaches

Trust has been vital to Kendall’s progress. England manager Sarina Wiegman reassured her before her debut that she deserved to play, boosting Kendall’s confidence.

At club level, Natalia Arroyo at Villa has a reputation for nurturing young talent by investing time in understanding each player. Kendall valued the promise that performing well would earn her a starting spot, influencing her decision to join Villa.

Goals for the Upcoming Season

After a year focused on surviving the WSL, Kendall now aims to make a bigger impact. She wants to influence game outcomes more directly, whether by scoring, assisting, or taking risks to create attacking opportunities.

Her long-term ambition is to master all three midfield roles. Last season she often played deep, controlling the tempo, while with England she has mainly featured box-to-box—a role she feels most comfortable in. Early in her career, she also excelled as an attacking midfielder, scoring 21 goals in 24 games for Southampton.

Keeping the World Cup in Sight

The 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil acts as a guiding goal. Kendall acknowledges the hard work required—maintaining fitness, confidence, and focus—to make the squad.

"Come the summer, I want to be there. But there’s so much that has to go right and so many things I have to do... It’s like the north star, you know? That’s the direction." – Lucia Kendall

She stresses the importance of staying present and not pressuring herself daily with the World Cup goal. Instead, her priority is helping Villa succeed and playing a significant role in the team’s growth.