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“She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League,” said England boss Sarina Wiegman with a laugh.

To Lucia Kendall, the moment was just as monumental.

The England boss was commenting on the instant the Villa player celebrated wildly following her debut international strike – six minutes into a win over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium.

“I think the pitch needs some attention after that!” she quipped, referring to Kendall’s immaculate knee slide.

Getting up from her slide, Kendall looked around with an amazed expression and a radiant grin.

A Fairytale Homecoming

Having been “an integral part” of Southampton for a decade, where she came up through the youth ranks to play over a century of games, her summer switch to Villa was a significant change.

Therefore, scoring at St Mary's upon her return and during just her third international match felt extraordinarily special.

“To do it here, where I was raised, was an immensely special moment. This place shaped the player I am,” Kendall stated.

“It appeared as though it was fate. It was so special. I got consumed by emotion really.”

A Meteoric Ascent

While Southampton was instrumental in her development, a life-altering choice at 15 set her on her path.

Despite being a talented cricketer (her father had a career with Hampshire), the impending demands of senior football at Southampton forced her hand. She selected football.

“It was a tough call. I simply couldn't manage both,” Kendall said in a recent media conference.

“I adored cricket as a child. Making the choice was very hard. I went back and forth, but when the time came, I realised I enjoy football a bit more.”

A Chelsea supporter, her idol was the prolific England midfielder Frank Lampard, and Kendall’s early career is mirroring that goalscoring trend.

Juggling life at Southampton with a psychology degree at university, it was clear early on that Kendall had the drive and dedication to become a star.

The club fought to keep her, but with her deal up, Villa moved decisively to bring her to the top flight.

In a matter of months, Kendall has rapidly ascended, securing a regular place in the WSL and a call-up to the national team.

“She shows consistency and that's not easy when you just come into a new environment and into the WSL with Aston Villa,” said Wiegman.

“The pace of her rise has been breathtaking, yet she maintains her performance standard, proving her quality impressively.”

Her performance was eye-catching; she struck the woodwork and was instrumental in another chance, preceding Russo’s spot-kick.

She was substituted after an hour to a ovation from the home crowd and the excited voice of the stadium announcer boasting that she was “Southampton's very own”.

Having netted 29 times for Southampton during her long tenure, she reflected, “My early exposure to senior football there from 16 set me up perfectly.

“It was the consistent trust they showed in me as a player and the belief. I felt like I was ready for [the next step].

“Entering the England setup, I was aware I had to demonstrate my worth. The increased pace felt like a step up in class.”

Acknowledgment of Her Football Intelligence

At the highest level, she has appeared comfortable, described as a natural midfielder who “has it”.

Wiegman is eager to protect her, saying the media can play a role in that and so can Villa, but she has no concerns because of how “grounded” Kendall acts.

In her early interactions with the press, she stressed her willingness to fulfill any role for the benefit of the team.

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo said it felt like Kendall had “been here for years” as she integrated seamlessly into the squad.

“{This team's just gone on to win back-to