Aston Villa head coach Natalia Arroyo “proud” of Lucia Kendall after first England goal | OneFootball

Aston Villa manager Natalia Arroyo has spoken with pride after watching Lucia Kendall score her first England goal.

Arroyo admitted she has replayed the clip in recent days and described it as an “amazing moment”.

Kendall found the net in England’s 2-0 win over Ghana on Tuesday. It was her first senior international goal and it added another milestone to a remarkable few months.

Since joining Villa in the summer, she has made an immediate impression and her strong start to the Women’s Super League season has seen her emerge as one of the most influential players in the squad.

What did Natalia Arroyo say about Lucia Kendall?

Before signing for Villa, Kendall had been playing in the second tier with Southampton.

The move to the first division represented a major step but she has adapted with speed and confidence. Arroyo said that even she has been surprised by the scale of Kendall’s improvement since the beginning of the campaign.

“It has been a crazy three or four months for her, she just needed this bigger exposure in the first division,” Arroyo said during a Friday news conference.

“None of us expected this big impact in October and November, but she has the quality on the ball in tight spaces with her passes.”

Arroyo added that she is pleased to see England manager Sarina Wiegman appreciating Kendall’s qualities.

Kendall herself reflected on the “special moment” after the game. She said that it was “written in the stars”  for her to score her first England goal in Southampton.

The midfielder has already caught the eye at the national level, and her progress has quickly turned her into a promising figure for England’s future. The recognition has brought more attention, but Arroyo says Kendall has remained focused and humble throughout.

Arroyo jokes about Kendall’s celebration

Arroyo joked that she was slightly less enthusiastic about Kendall’s knee slide celebration.

With a league match against Tottenham approaching on Sunday, she admitted she would have preferred the midfielder to avoid any risk.

Still, she recognised the excitement that came with such a significant moment. “But she was so in the flow that is the best thing,” Arroyo said.

What stood out most for the manager was the expression on Kendall’s face as the moment unfolded. “I was playing it back because of her smile, her eyes starting to cry. It is an amazing moment.”

For Arroyo, the goal is more than a highlight. It reflects the effort and development that Kendall has shown since arriving at Villa and signals a promising future if she continues on this path.