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Ezri Konsa wows as he flies under the radar at Aston Villa amid international news
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton is thrilled for Ezri Konsa after the Aston Villa defender was called up to the England squad for the first time by Gareth Southgate.
Konsa, 26, has played every minute of every game in Villa’s impressive start to the Premier League season and his fine form at the back has resulted in the opportunity to earn his first England cap against either Malta or North Macedonia in the coming days.
According to Hutton, the former Brentford defender has become the glue that sticks the Villa defence together and he completely deserves his shot with the England national team.
“I thought it was amazing. I genuinely felt really happy for him,” Hutton told Villa News.
“He signed for the club for £12million and he kind of flies under the radar a wee bit. That’s no sleight on him – it’s a good thing.
“If you think Tyrone Mings is already a top centre-half, Diego Carlos comes in for big money, Pau Torres comes in for big money and Konsa just floats under the radar. It’s him – he’s the rock that makes everybody better.
“He’s got pace, he’s got everything, he’s got good awareness, good timing of a tackle and he can play the ball out from the back. He’s got everything you need and he’s the constant within the back-four.
“He’s deserved the call-up and hopefully, he gets an opportunity to play because he thoroughly deserves it.”
Konsa has played 18 times in all competitions this season, failing to start just one game which was the 4-1 win away at AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League on 26 October.
He was also a regular last term by playing in every Premier League match for both Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery.
In other Aston Villa news, the club has been told to sign a new striker as concerns about Ollie Watkins emerge.