Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has stepped up to the challenge of leading Unai Emery’s defense following the long-term injury to Tyrone Mings. Mings suffered the injury during Villa’s 5-1 defeat at St. James’ Park at the start of the season and might be sidelined for the rest of the campaign. Konsa, who formed a solid partnership with Mings since joining Villa in 2019, is now adjusting to working alongside Pau Torres this season.
In recognition of his performances under Emery, Konsa earned his first senior England call-up after Lewis Dunk withdrew from the squad. Speaking at a press conference before England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, Konsa discussed adapting to Mings’ absence and expressed how closely he had worked with Mings on and off the pitch. He highlighted Mings’ influence in training and matchdays, describing him as a leader who guided players.
Acknowledging Mings’ unfortunate season-ending injury, Konsa shared that he has taken inspiration from his time playing alongside Mings to become more of a leader on the field. Despite his naturally quiet demeanor, Konsa is actively working on developing his leadership skills. He emphasized the responsibility he feels to fill the void left by Mings and expressed gratitude for the learning experience.
When asked about Mings’ reaction to his England call-up, Konsa revealed that Mings sent him a congratulatory message, encouraging him to enjoy the moment. Since his move from Brentford in 2019, Konsa has been a consistent presence for Villa, making 156 appearances. The 26-year-old has been a key player in Emery’s managerial tenure, starting every league game and contributing to the team’s positive turnaround under the Spanish coach.
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