Paul Merson says ‘under-the-radar’ Konsa ‘has a bright future’

Ezri Konsa has an uncertain future at Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard is reportedly unhappy with the 24-year-old’s consistency this season, but Paul Merson came to his defence and was full of praise.

Konsa has been a regular alongside Tyrone Mings and helped the Villans keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion last week, so he’s still an important player despite the rumours.

Merson agrees, writing in his Sportskeeda column: “Konsa, in my opinion, is someone who always goes under the radar. I think he’s Villa’s best defender and has a bright future ahead of him.”

Konsa joined Villa from Brentford in 2019 and has gone on to make 92 appearances across the board, scoring six goals with two assists to his name. The 24-year-old played in all but two of Villa’s Premier League games last season and has played in all but three of their top-flight matches this campaign.

Konsa has won 49/84 aerial duels, made 5/7 successful dribbles, blocked 17 shots, made 59 clearances, give away one foul every 145 minutes, been dribbled past only three times and has averaged a tackle (21) or interception (12) every 57 minutes in his 22 league appearances.

Regardless of the rumours, Konsa is Gerrard’s go-to man alongside Mings and was close to getting an England callup last year, so could he really be surplus to requirements?

In other news, Gabriel Agbonlahor says ‘great’ Ollie Watkins ‘feeds off confidence’