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

At just 22, Lucia Kendall has experienced a whirlwind rise through English football. After a strong season with Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League (WSL), she earned her place in the England squad under Sarina Wiegman within weeks of the campaign starting. Despite this fast ascent, Kendall admits it still feels surreal to be a full Lioness.

Her 2025-26 season went from strength to strength. She joined Villa from Southampton in July last year, where she had spent five seasons playing senior football since age 16. A month after making her WSL debut against Chelsea, she was called up to the senior England team and made her debut versus Australia, earning Player of the Match honors.

Kendall then returned to face her old club Southampton during England’s next camp, scoring in a win against Ghana. Her performances secured her a starting spot in World Cup qualifiers, including a narrow victory over Spain at Wembley in April.

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

As she prepares for her second WSL season and the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, Kendall seems undaunted by the rapid changes around her.

“Playing for England opened my eyes to, ‘Wow, this is what I’ve dreamed of,’” she explains. “It relaxed me because I’d done it, so I could just enjoy it.”

Building a Strong Foundation

Kendall credits her extensive experience at Southampton across lower tiers for preparing her mentally and physically for the top flight. Although new to the WSL, she’s been facing challenges since her teens in tiers four, three, and two.

Adjusting to life away from home was one of the toughest parts off the pitch during her first WSL season, something she’s only recently grown accustomed to. On the pitch, she needed to adapt to the faster pace but felt ready due to the responsibility she held at a young age in earlier leagues.

“Playing as a 17-year-old in lower tiers, I had to take the game by the scruff of the neck. That definitely helped me,” she says.

Breaking Through Internationally

Kendall’s international rise came quickly after England’s European Championship success, joining the Lionesses as they prepared for the next chapter. Despite being a newcomer, she showed maturity and confidence representing England.

“I still don’t feel like I’m an England player yet,” she laughs. “I probably won’t feel like that for a while.”

She balances confidence with understanding the significance of wearing the national shirt, which helped her deliver strong performances early on.

The Importance of Trust

Guidance from England coach Sarina Wiegman played a big role. Kendall recalls Wiegman telling her before her debut, “You deserve to be playing,” reinforcing the trust placed in her. That honesty and openness mean a lot to Kendall.

Trust at club level also matters. Villa manager Natalia Arroyo is known for developing young talent, investing time in understanding each player's motivations. Kendall felt reassured signing for Villa knowing she would earn her spot if she performed well.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Impact

Villa aims to improve on their ninth-place finish last season, focusing on raising intensity and standards. Kendall wants to play a bigger role in matches, not just surviving but influencing outcomes with goals, assists, and creative risks.

“I want to break lines, play those key passes, and help set up attacks rather than just keeping possession,” she says.

Her goal is to master all midfield roles. Last season she played deeper at Villa, enjoying controlling tempo, while with England she often plays box-to-box, where she feels most comfortable. Early in her career at Southampton, she scored 21 goals in 24 games as an attacking midfielder, though she doesn’t see that as her natural position.

Keeping the World Cup in Sight

Kendall admits the 2027 World Cup is a constant focus but insists her priority remains on performing well for Villa to stay in contention. She describes the tournament as her “north star,” guiding her daily efforts without overwhelming pressure.

“Come summer, I want to be there. But many things have to go right – staying fit, confident, and improving every day,” she shares. “For now, I focus on helping Villa succeed and playing a big part in that.”