Ezri Konsa must ‘step up’ his leadership ability after Aston Villa contract extension
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Ezri Konsa must “step up” his leadership abilities in the absence of Tyrone Mings after his Aston Villa contract extension, according to Dan Bardell.
The club confirmed (20 September) that the English centre-back had signed a new long-term contract to extend his stay at Villa Park off the back of his tremendous form under Unai Emery.
The 25-year-old has become a mainstay of the new-look Aston Villa side, having made the second-most appearances under the Spaniard, just behind Douglas Luiz. Opportunity knocked for Konsa when Mings was hurt in the season-opener against Newcastle United and will be sidelined for potentially the rest of the season, leaving Konsa to line up with Pau Torres or as part of a back three.
Bardell has sent a message to the former Brentford man, suggesting he must prove himself a leader in the Aston Villa backline while Mings recovers, noting the excellent defensive attributes he possesses that can help him meet the challenge head on.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “Pretty much whenever he’s been fit, Konsa’s played. When Villa have had a good team, Konsa has been good. Under Steven Gerrard, he was quite susceptible to making positional errors and mistakes.
“But since Emery’s taken over, he’s been really, really good. With Tyrone Mings out, there is a big onus on him to become the leader of that centre-back group. So far, he’s stepped up to that, he’s not a problem.
“For a modern-day centre-back, he’s probably got most of the attributes you need. He’s quick, so he has that recovery pace, he’s good on the ball. I’d like to see him be more of an attacking threat, but that’s not something I only level at him.
“He’s one of the first names on the team sheet, but he’s going to have to step up and be that leader [without Mings].”
In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton has shared his team news verdict ahead of the club’s European return.