Ezri Konsa: I couldn’t watch deadline day as financial rules have ‘killed’ Villa

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa could not watch any of Monday’s transfer deadline day action as he believes financial rules have “killed” his club.

Villa have operated under strict restraints this summer in order to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play and the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), meaning they had to break even while also shredding a hefty wage bill.

They also had to sell homegrown talent Jacob Ramsey and were left scrambling around on Monday’s transfer deadline, eventually signing Victor Lindelof on a free transfer and Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott on loan deals.

Boss Unai Emery and club captain John McGinn have both called for reform to the rules and Konsa, who is hoping to represent England at Villa Park against Andorra on Saturday, is equally as confused.

“It is crazy. I don’t understand it myself but from the outside looking in, it doesn’t look too good,” he said. “I know that. I know it’s really killed us this transfer window.

“We’re going to have to deal with what we’ve got now.

“I definitely didn’t watch that (transfer deadline day). It’s been tough, especially for us.

“I knew that signing players was going to be difficult for us so I did not look at transfer deadline day.

“Around 8 o’clock I went on Villa’s social media to see what happened. I saw that we signed three players, who are really good and have Premier League experience.

“I think that’s what we needed as well.”

Villa’s problems have not been restricted to off the pitch as they have taken just one point from their opening three Premier League games and have not scored a goal.

But they have made big strides under Emery – reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last season – and Konsa has full faith Villa can