Ezri Konsa during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC.
Ezri Konsa has been a regular for Arsenal so far this season. (Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Matty Cash claims Ezri Konsa is only now receiving the plaudits he deserved at Aston Villa following his move to Arsenal.
The 28-year-old centre-back was one of several players to leave Villa in the summer, after Unai Emery’s side lifted the Europa League trophy in Istanbul.
More than half of the starting XI that faced SC Freiburg in the final departed during the transfer window, with Konsa joining Arsenal for £51 million.
“Ez has gone on to Arsenal and people are now saying that they didn’t realise he is as good as he was,” Cash claimed.
“But I saw it every day, week in, week out here at Villa. He’s gone to Arsenal and everyone has said, ‘Wow, what a player’, but he was showing that level for years here.
“Ez, his quality speaks for itself, but we have Taylor (Harwood-Bellis), who I think is really good, and Victor (Lindelof) has shown his experience. He was a quality player for us.”
Victor Lindelof is once again expected to start for Villa on Wednesday night against Fenerbahçe, with Konsa’s ‘replacement’, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, having been left out of the league-phase squad.
So far this season, Villa have conceded two or more goals in five of their first eight matches in all competitions.
“We spoke about it yesterday – if you concede two or more goals, you won’t win games at this level,” Cash admitted.
“We have been scoring a few goals as well, but for me as a defender, the job is to keep the ball out of the net. We need to be structurally stronger and defend as a team.
“Zion (Suzuki) won’t be wanting to concede that many, and he is a player who has come in with real quality.”
FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Get more news and AVFC analysis via our Aston Villa FB page
Get YOUR Aston Villa Newsletter