Konsa injury blow could see Chambers start v Burnley

Ezri Konsa picked up an injury in Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon and was withdrawn in the 49th minute.

Steven Gerrard admitted being “concerned” after the game and said it would be “surprising” if the 24-year-old plays again for Villa this season, so a replacement centre-back might be required for Thursday’s meeting with Burnley.

He said via the Express and Star: “We’re concerned about Ezri. Normally, someone like him wouldn’t come off the pitch unless there was a problem. I think we have got a problem.

“We’ll send him off for an MRI scan. I’ll be extremely surprised if he plays again (this season). We’ll know in the next 24-48 hours.” Konsa has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring two goals. He’s been a regular alongside Tyrone Mings at centre-back, so his loss will be a blow.

Calum Chambers was brought on in Konsa’s stead against Palace, so he should be the one Gerrard calls upon. The 27-year-old has made nine appearances since joining Villa from Arsenal in January, scoring one goal.

Chambers is now ahead of Kortney Hause in the pecking order and hasn’t been left out of the matchday squad once since joining, so he’ll be ready to deputise. The England international has been a good omen for Villa too, winning in four of his last six outings, so he’ll be fine alongside Mings.

In other news, Bertrand Traore has no future in Steven Gerrard’s system