Ezri Konsa has enjoyed another standout season for Aston Villa as Unai Emery’s side push for a top-four finish.
The 26-year-old has started 24 matches for Villa during the 2023/24 season and was an ever-present before sustaining a sprained knee against Sheffield United.
The former Brentford man has been a rock at the heart of Emery’s defence, winning 112 duels with a 77 per cent success rate thus far (FotMob).
Emery thrust Konsa straight back into the starting XI during the Villans’ 3-2 win over Luton Town on Saturday evening. Before the game, the Spaniard had alluded to caution when introducing the 26-year-old back into his plans.
“I include them in the squad for tomorrow, but I don’t know if they will start,” Emery said in his pre-match press conference.
“I will speak to them tomorrow morning and ask how they feel for a very important match. There will be a lot of duels, and it is a demanding match.”
Konsa being thrown straight back in against the Hatters demonstrates his importance.
Aston Villa: Is Ezri Konsa underrated?
Aston Villa fans are more than aware of what the Englishman can produce, and the notion of him being underrated at Villa Park couldn’t be further from the truth.
However, in the view of a wider Premier League audience, Konsa’s qualities are probably underappreciated.
Per TheOther14 (via X), only Virgil Van Dijk and William Saliba have been dribbled past fewer times than the Aston Villa defender.
Only two players have managed to take the ball around the Villa defender successfully this season.
He should be respected by a wider audience, considering he matches some of the Premier League’s best.
Tyrone Mings’ long-term injury has also seen Konsa step up and hold more responsibility at Villa Park, something the 26-year-old felt was non-negotiable.
“I have always felt like I need to add more leadership to my game. I have played alongside Tyrone for many years and I felt like he was the one that was the leader,” he told Birmingham Live.
“I just used to basically go off him and use him as a guide. It’s unfortunate that he got his injury, and we are all behind him, but I feel it’s time for me to take on that responsibility and help the players I am playing alongside.”
