Ezri Konsa: Aston Villa star cements England World Cup role vs Costa Rica

Ezri Konsa put in a strong display in England's final pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica as the Aston Villa man makes his point to Thomas Tuchel.

On a rain-soaked evening in Orlando, Florida, England took on Costa Rica for one last test run before the real thing.

Tuchel named a strong starting lineup on Wednesday evening, as he appears to have most of his team figured out for Croatia.

Konsa didn't start in the previous friendly win against New Zealand, instead coming on for the second half to help see out the 3-0 victory.

The 28-year-old enjoyed another strong 2025-26 campaign for Aston Villa, ensuring he entered England's World Cup camp primed for a big role under Tuchel.

And, thanks to his performance against Costa Rica, he's surely now locked in his place to start the Three Lions' first game of the tournament next Wednesday.

How did Ezri Konsa fare for England vs Costa Rica?

After multiple dramatic delays to the kick-off time on Wednesday night thanks to the pitch needing to be dried out after heavy rainfall, the match did eventually start just after 10pm UK time.

For those staying up to watch, they were quickly rewarded as Declan Rice opened the scoring after just nine minutes.

That's how the scoreline would stay until Anthony Gordon slammed home a 68th-minute penalty, before Ollie Watkins sealed the 3-0 win on 87 minutes.

As such, it means England go into their first game of the World Cup against Croatia off the back of two friendly wins and in good spirits.

Konsa played 71 minutes against Costa Rica before being replaced by Jarell Quansah, but there should be no doubt over whether he's in the starting XI for the Three Lions to start the tournament.

As per FotMob, he completed 98 per cent of his passes accurately, whilst also creating two chances and playing six passes into the final third.

He also made two clearances, won all three of his ground duels and his lone aerial duel, as well as winning two fouls and being dispossessed zero times.

On top of that, Konsa took three touches in the Costa Rica box, had one shot blocked, made one tackle, interception and recovery whilst taking 53 total touches in the match.

How did Rogers and Watkins get on?

So, whilst Konsa banked another excellent performance in an England shirt to secure his role in the team, how did Villa's other stars fare?

As aforementioned, Watkins did complete England's win by netting the third goal of the game.

He headed home after Rogers' powerful and dipping effort was parried by Costa Rica keeper Abraham Madriz right into the path of the Villans striker, who made no mistake.

Watkins only entered the fray on 71 minutes, creating two chances whilst also registering three efforts on goal and five touches in the opposition box.

Rogers, meanwhile, came on with 63 minutes on the clock, and aside from helping to provide Watkins' goal, the 23-year-old had a mixed time of things.

He completed 83 per cent of his passes, created two chances, took three shots on goal and had seven touches in the Costa Rica box.

But, he did miss one gilt-edged chance when being played through on goal by Ebere Eze, however Rogers could only curl his right-footed effort wide of the bottom-right corner.

Overall then, Konsa made sure of his starting role as did Watkins with his number two striker spot, but a stellar showing from Jude Bellingham combined with a mixed night for Rogers probably keeps him out of the team for Croatia.