Unai Emery has endured a torrid start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, culminating in the 3-0 loss against Crystal Palace.
The Villans have failed to win any of their opening three fixtures heading into the international break and sit only one point ahead of Black Country rivals Wolves at the bottom of the table.
Aston Villa were at the centre of deadline day drama as Emi Martinez pushed for a move to Manchester United, according to widespread reports, but they did manage to strengthen their squad before the 7pm deadline.
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Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho arrived at Villa Park on loan until the end of the season, and TBR Football understands Aston Villa sold Elliott on their project ahead of his exit from Liverpool.
Aston Villa Unveil New Signing Harvey Elliott
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Therefore, there is plenty of optimism ahead of the return of club football, and captain John McGinn has named the teammate he believes to be the star man at Villa Park.
John McGinn names Ezri Konsa as Aston Villa’s star player
When speaking to Sky Sports, McGinn was asked to name the star player of the Villa squad, and while he considered naming his attacking teammates, the Scotsman chose Ezri Konsa.
“Yeah, I think he’s still one of the most underrated players in the league. In my opinion, he is the outstanding defender in the country. I can’t believe it took him so long to be a regular for England.
“Thankfully, last season Thomas Tuchel took notice of Ezri and the stuff he was doing, (as a) one-v-one defender, one of the best in the league. He is phenomenal, so I think last season I was delighted he was getting the recognition that he deserves, and he is an unbelievable defender.
“We’re very, very lucky to have him. We’re on this journey together from the first year in the Premier League, and what a great defender he is.”
Konsa received a red card in the 0-0 draw against Newcastle United on the opening day for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Although his 2025/26 campaign got off to the worst possible start, Konsa is viewed as massively underrated and has been a mainstay in the Aston Villa defence since his £12 million arrival from Brentford in 2019.
McGinn considered Ollie Watkins or Morgan Rogers as the star of the team, but his decision to name Konsa is a glowing commendation for a player who has well and truly established himself for both club and country.
Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have had a slow start for Aston Villa
The Villans have yet to score a goal at the beginning of the season, and this is largely down to how the English duo have performed.
Watkins and Rogers almost single-handedly carried Villa last season, but the club fell short of qualifying for the Champions League for a second consecutive year on the final day.
Player (2024/25 Season) Appearances Goals Assists G+A Total
Ollie Watkins 38 16 8 24
Morgan Rogers 37 8 10 18
Statistics provided by FBref.
Astonishingly, they contributed 72% of Villa’s 58 goals scored in the Premier League last season; therefore, when they are not firing on all cylinders, the team suffers drastically.
McGinn, of course, is entitled to his opinion, but it appears both Rogers and Watkins are jointly detrimental to Aston Villa’s success.