Aston Villa will be concerned about Ezri Konsa after injury news emerges
Ezri Konsa could return to Aston Villa with a new injury ahead of the Premier League clash against Everton on Saturday (14 September).
While Unai Emery could welcome Diego Carlos back to the squad, having not played since May, it remains to be seen how close fellow centre-back Tyrone Mings is to a return, having been spotted in training.
Although Sean Dyche’s Everton side are massively out of form, losing all three of their opening Premier League matches so far, Konsa’s potential absence would be a huge blow for the Villans.
The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in England’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland before starting against Finland on Tuesday 10 September.
It was the usual comfortable performance from the Villa man before being replaced by Levi Colwill on the hour mark, having sustained a new injury on international duty.
With three days until Emery’s side welcome the Toffees to Villa Park, the manager will be sweating over Konsa’s fitness ahead of the clash.
Aston Villa suffer Ezri Konsa scare ahead of Everton clash
If both Carlos and Mings remain unavailable, Emery could be left with just Pau Torres as a senior centre-back in defence. He will be praying that Konsa has just suffered an impact injury.
The Englishman is, arguably, Villa’s best defender. He possesses a 92 per cent passing accuracy so far this season – the same as last term’s average – already making 13 clearances and two interceptions [FotMob].
Before being replaced by Colwill on Tuesday night, Konsa had won 100 per cent of his tackles against Finland, also winning 100 per cent of his ground duels (4/4) and winning three fouls [FotMob].
Given that he is ranked in the top 85 percentile for progressive carries, the top 95 percentile for successful take-ons, and the top 78 percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area, the attacking areas of his game are just as important as his defensive abilities [FBref].
Villa could really suffer without him in defence, especially against a struggling Toffees side who are chomping at the bit to get their first points on the board this season.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery is set to make a bold Jhon Duran decision ahead of a clash v Everton.
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