Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports during their live coverage of Aston Villa’s win at Southampton on Saturday that he is a ‘massive fan’ of Ezri Konsa.
The former England defender suggested that Konsa doesn’t get the attention because ‘a lot’ of that is directed towards his £20 million teammate [BBC Sport], Tyrone Mings.
The world is Konsa’s oyster because he glides around the pitch dominating opposition attackers like he’s an already established Premier League performer and England international.
Konsa is adding fuel to the former, but it won’t be too long before the latter also becomes realistic and he is joining Jack Grealish on the St George’s Park turf for England.
Nonetheless, Carragher shared that he is a big admirer of Konsa, who he thinks has played a huge part in helping elevate Aston Villa’s defence.
“I really feared for them last season because I thought they were going to go down really,” said Carragher.
“When they came back at the end of last season, it was like a completely different team, a different type of organisation and a lot stronger defensively.
“I am a massive fan of Konsa at the back, alongside Mings, he gets a lot of the attention. But I think since he has come in, they have looked a lot more solid.”
Villa’s all-English back four were at it again on Saturday when they kept out Southampton’s previously high-flying attack.
That 1-0 win at St Mary’s – Villa’s 10th clean sheet of the season – moved them into the top-eight and within touching distance of the European places.
Dean Smith’s side have a game in hand on some of the teams around them and if their defence can remain resolute then there’s no reason why a European tour shouldn’t be on the cards next season.
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