Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Mon 18 May 2026 15:10, UK

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa continues to shine at the heart of Unai Emery’s backline.

Joining the club in 2019, Konsa has become a modern-day icon for the Villans, more than earning his spot in the England side at the same time.

The centre-back has racked up 3,036 minutes in the Premier League this term, which is only bettered by the 3,285 of Morgan Rogers in the current Villa squad.

With this in mind, the fine form under Emery continues, with the Villans securing their return to the Champions League, alongside a spot in the Europa League final.

As a result of his consistency, Konsa has the backing of British royalty as he continues to impress.

Prince William piles the praise on Ezri Konsa

Making the move from Brentford following Villa’s ascent to the top flight in 2019, Konsa has become a stalwart in the backline.

After a difficult start to life in the Premier League at that point, the B6 outfit are now at a point under Emery where they are consistent challengers at the thick end of the standings, with Konsa himself adapting to the level seamlessly.

Following the Europa League semi-final, the defender mentioned the support of Prince William, who has been through it all across the rise from the Championship in the last decade.

“He was in the dressing room with the players and with me,” said Konsa, as per the Birmingham Mail.

“It’s weird because on game day, when he comes in, you focus on the game and you’re in the moment, and you don’t realise how big it is that he is coming in to greet everyone and shake his hand.”

The future king of England has followed Villa throughout his life, with Konsa outlining the praise put on his shoulders by the royal.

“I don’t know much about his football knowledge, but he has called me a Rolls-Royce once, though. I’ll take that. That got stuck in my head,” admitted the 28-year-old.

And when it comes to Konsa’s role at Villa Park, he has absolutely hit the nail on the head with his comment.

Why Konsa is crucial to Aston Villa

Throughout his spell in the West Midlands, Konsa has proven a class act at the back, under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and now Emery.

The simple fact of the matter is that you don’t rack up 285 appearances for a club without being exactly that; the simple fact is that when he is fit, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

This term, the Englishman has continued to prove vital to Emery’s style of play.

With 2,003 successful passes, his accuracy level sits at 95.5 per cent – the highest of any player in the Premier League.

His importance is backed up with the amount of touches, having registered 2,439 in the league, with Konsa consistently trusted as the man to lead from the back in possession.

Defensively, he has made 108 recoveries, alongside 196 defensive contributions, with eight clean sheets to boast on top of this.

Should Villa continue building over the coming years, the England international will no doubt be at the heart of this, having adapted to each level as the Midlanders have soared up the standings in recent years.