The Villa boss is delighted with his options at the back.
Unai Emery claims to be relishing the selection headache provided by Villa’s “fantastic four” centre-backs.
The Spaniard reckons the quartet of Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelof have all stepped up when needed at different stages of the season.
Lindelof, a free signing on last summer’s transfer deadline day, made his 13th Premier League appearance of the campaign when he returned to the XI for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
That allowed Emery to give Konsa, who has played the second-most minutes of any player this season, a rare rest with the Sweden international’s performance justifying the manager’s faith.
Emery said: “We have a fantastic four centre-backs. They are different.
“Lindelof is always ready to play and when he is playing, he is adding to us his experience, his qualities and capacity to perform at a high level.
“Pau is consistent as well. So is Tyrone, though he was feeling on Saturday not very good, in some pain, which is why he did not play on Sunday.
“But Pau is responding as well and when not, there is Tyrone. Konsa as well is being consistent.
“I think we have now four centre-backs who are getting the performance we need. I am so happy with them.”
Villa return to action on Thursday when they host Bologna in a Europa League quarter-final second leg.
Emery’s men hold a 3-1 lead from last week’s first leg as they look to reach a European semi-final for the second time in three seasons.
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