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

Lucia Kendall's Remarkable Breakthrough Season

At just 22, Lucia Kendall has experienced a stunning rise. Last season, she made a strong impact for both Aston Villa and the England national team. Now, as the 2026-27 Women’s Super League (WSL) season begins, she is focused on securing her spot in the Lionesses squad for next summer’s Women’s World Cup.

Kendall’s journey over the past year feels almost surreal to her. Having joined Villa from Southampton in July 2025, where she had debuted aged 16 and played five seasons, she quickly adapted to top-flight football. Just weeks into her first WSL season, she earned a call-up to the senior England squad by coach Sarina Wiegman. Two weeks later, she made her full international debut against Australia and was named Player of the Match.

Her momentum continued as she returned to her former club Southampton during an England camp, scoring in a friendly win over Ghana. By April, Kendall started in a vital World Cup qualifier against Spain at Wembley, which England won 1-0.

A Season of Firsts

Kendall reflects on these achievements as "crazy," admitting it still hasn’t fully sunk in that she is now a regular Lioness. She also started 16 of Villa’s 22 WSL games last season, a notable feat considering it was her first year at this level.

Looking ahead to her second WSL campaign, Kendall shows no signs of being overwhelmed. Instead, playing for England helped her realize her dream and gave her confidence to simply enjoy the experience.

Building on a Solid Foundation

Before Villa, Kendall spent five years developing at Southampton, moving through the lower tiers of English women’s football. That experience prepared her for the jump to the WSL and the demands of professional football. The toughest challenge initially was adjusting to living away from home, which she says she is only now fully adapting to.

Football-wise, she credits her early exposure to senior football with teaching her how to take control of games even as a teenager. Those lessons made the transition to Villa and the WSL speed smoother.

Stepping Up Internationally

Breaking into the England squad soon after Villa signing came during a period when the Lionesses were defending European champions. Kendall wasn’t daunted, though she admits it still feels unreal to be an England player.

She describes finding the right balance between confidence and understanding the significance of representing her country, which helped her deliver standout performances early on.

The Importance of Trust

Kendall points to the trust shown by coach Sarina Wiegman as key to her success. Wiegman reassured her before her debut that she deserved her place, reinforcing the faith already shown by starting her in a big match.

That trust extends to her club manager, Natalia Arroyo, who is known for developing young talent. Kendall felt confident signing for Villa knowing that strong performances would earn her a starting spot.

Goals for the Future

After surviving her debut WSL season, Kendall is eager to have a bigger influence on games. She wants to contribute more goals and assists, take more risks, and break lines to create attacking chances rather than simply maintaining possession.

Her ultimate aim is to master all three midfield roles. At Villa, she played deeper, enjoying controlling the game tempo, while for England she often features as a box-to-box midfielder, where she feels most comfortable. Early in her career at Southampton, she played as a No.10, scoring 21 goals in 24 games during promotion-winning campaigns.

Focusing on Villa and the World Cup

The upcoming World Cup in Brazil next summer gives Kendall clear direction, but she keeps her focus firmly on club football. Improving Villa’s league standing is a priority, as the team aims to build on recent seasons and push higher up the table.

Kendall admits she must manage many aspects to stay on track: physical care, continuous improvement, confidence, and mindset. She calls the World Cup her “north star” but insists on taking things day by day without overwhelming pressure.

Her main goal remains helping Villa achieve success and playing a key role in their progress.