Aston Villa: Dan Bardell gutted as Ezri Konsa suffers injury blow at Villa Park
Aston Villa have been dealt a “huge blow” following the injury suffered by defender Ezri Konsa, according to Dan Bardell.
The Telegraph reported on its website on 6 February that the 26-year-old has been ruled out with a “significant” knee injury, potentially keeping him out for more than a month.
The newspaper said Villa are currently sweating over the English centre-back’s fitness after he suffered the issue against Sheffield United on 3 February, with further tests and assessments due to take place.
Bardell believes Konsa’s injury completely changes the way the Villans play as his pace and athleticism allow them to play a high line.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “It’s massive because he doesn’t really get injured. He’s been so consistent under Emery. I think he played every league game up until this injury and possibly played every league minute under Emery.
“It’s a huge blow and he can’t be replaced within the squad with like for like. He’s been doing such a good job at right-back in recent weeks as well. Villa building up with a back three, I think they’ve looked most comfortable when it has been Konsa, Carlos and Pau Torres, but they can’t do that without Konsa.
“I think it completely changes the way that Villa play going forward and losing him is a huge blow. With that high line as well, he’s just so quick and so athletic.
“Luckily, it’s not too long. It looks like it will only be a month, but he can’t come back quickly enough. I think if Villa had been able to keep Konsa and Torres on the pitch over the past six weeks, I don’t think we would have had this stuttering run because we were going so well, clean sheets against Arsenal and Man City.
“It’s a blow for Villa in every way it could possibly be, but hopefully, he can be back sooner rather than later and they can cope without him.”
Aston Villa defenders need to step up without Ezri Konsa
There is no doubt that Konsa has been by far Villa’s best defender since Emery arrived at the club after playing almost every minute at Villa Park.
The versatile defender’s injury puts pressure on some of his teammates to step up in his absence after he’s been doing an excellent job playing in central defence or at right-back.
He will be hoping to get back up to speed quickly to help Villa in their push for the Champions League places, but also to try and cement a place in the England squad for the European Championships after gaining international recognition this season.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery may have contacted his former club after a Villa player exit has been confirmed.
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