**Lucia Kendall**looked back at moving away from her childhood club **Southampton**this summer.
She spent five years on the books of the senior side, helping them earn promotion to the second tier of women’s football as an 18-year-old. With over 100 appearances for the team in a successful spell, she decided to move to the Midlands, signing for Women’s Super League side Aston Villa this summer.
The midfielder has enjoyed working with Natalia Arroyo,, who trusted her to make her first start for the Villans against **Arsenal**at the Emirates Stadium. From being at a higher level to adapting to different responsibilities, the move is already allowing Kendall to develop more tools in her game.
*“Away from being at Southampton, basically being part of the furniture there for 10 years and then moving to Villa in the summer, I think it's prepared me actually really well for coming into another new environment.*
“Natalia’s funny. She's very passionate about the game. I'm starting to see how she wants to play and come out a bit more. But to be honest, I'm really grateful for the level of trust that she's shown in me.
*“I'm a young player in the team, and so even the first start that I was given at the Emirates Stadium, not every manager would throw you in the deep end like that. But I was really grateful for that opportunity and to be able to show what I can do, and I feel that trust from her.*
“Being at Southampton for so long, I've played regular senior football from when I was 16, and I think that's given me a really good step. The consistent trust that they've shown in me as a player and belief, and to be able to make that next step, I felt like I was ready for it.
“I was ready for that next step, and I knew that I had to go in and prove why I should be playing at this level. But yeah, I think the speed of the game is quicker, going up a division. But I do think that playing those regular minutes in championship put me in good stead.
*“I wouldn't pigeonhole myself to a position, to be honest. I've actually played a lot in the 10 at Southampton. I've been playing as more of a defensive midfielder at Villa. I would like to say that I can play in any of those three roles. Probably more naturally, a little bit more defensive, but I want to be able to play all three positions in that midfield.”*