Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall justifies Sarina Wiegman backing after England Women latest
Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall put in an impressive cameo display in England’s 6-1 win over Ukraine.
The Lionesses began their 2027 Women’s World Cup in raucous fashion with a thumping victory at Mardan Stadyumu on Tuesday.
After a goalless first half, Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park all bagged braces, while Yana Kalinina scored from a set-piece to make it 2-1.
But Sarina Wiegman’s side romped to victory in a game where Villa‘s Kendall came off the bench late on for Keira Walsh.
The 21-year-old has had an injury-troubled season for Natalia Arroyo‘s side but looked in her element at international level again.
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Lucia Kendall’s rapid rise continues
Kendall began her footballing career at Winchester City Flyers before joining Southampton in 2020.
Back then, the teenager was plying her trade in the FA Women’s National League Division One South West, before securing two promotions up to the FA Women’s Championship.
Her form at Southampton got her a move to Villa Park last summer, with the 21-year-old since featuring 15 times for the West Midlands outfit this season.
After a bright start to the campaign, Kendall made her England debut in 2025 and scored her first goal for her country in a 2-0 win over Ghana last December.
And on Tuesday, she came on against Ukraine in the 79th minute and played a part in Park’s second goal and England’s sixth.
One minute before the end of the 90, Kendall, who now has four England caps, did a neat stepover before laying the ball off to Park. The Manchester United star did the rest and rifled in a superb goal against a sorry Ukraine side.
While it was a short cameo, Kendall was lively, made good runs, and offered something off the bench. That will stand her in good stead in her bid to make it into England’s 2027 World Cup squad.
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What are Aston Villa’s next fixtures?
Villa, along with their Women’s Super League rivals, are currently in the middle of a season pause due to the international break.
When that ends over the next week, Villa host table-topping Manchester City on 15 March.
After their embarrassing 7-3 loss at home to Tottenham last time out, they will hope to put in a much-improved display against City.
While relegation seems unlikely, ninth-placed Villa are just seven points ahead of basement side Leicester City with six games to go.
Villa will be glad to have Kendall back, hopefully unscathed, from England duty, with the youngster eyeing more game time against Iceland on Saturday.
After the City test, Villa are away to lowly Leicester on 22 March in a game that could determine Arroyo’s future at the club. They then round off the month away to Chelsea, so this is a difficult stretch for Villa.
Head to Football Insider for all the latest updates and insight into what is going on at Aston Villa.