Andros Townsend has now been discussing the remarkable progress that Ezri Konsa has made since the arrival of Unai Emery at Aston Villa.
Townsend was speaking on the BBC’s ‘The Monday Night Club’ and recognised that Konsa has always been a player with strong attributes.
The pundit praised the defender’s stature and his strength, but thought his passing had improved the most under Emery.
Townsend thought Emery’s insistence to play out from the back at Villa was now really benefiting Konsa.
He said: “I played against him when he first came in and then I played against him this season.
“He’s obviously a player who has everything. He has great stature, he’s quick, he’s strong, he’s commanding, he’s good on the ball.
“And I think that side of it, on the ball, has definitely developed in the last three years and you are seeing a manager now in Unai Emery who is forcing his team to play out from the back.”
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Of course, this kind of talk does support Southgate’s decision to finally call Konsa into his England squad.
Townsend thinks Emery has been an excellent influence for Konsa at Villa
Amid all of these international breaks, Konsa has regularly been backed for a call-up from Gareth Southgate.
Alan Shearer stated his opinion that it would only be a matter of time before Konsa got the call.
Ian Wright shared those thoughts that Southgate should now be looking at the 26-year-old.
And both will surely now be delighted that the defender has a chance to show his worth for England.
Konsa arrived at Villa for £12m back in 2019, well before Unai Emery arrived at the club.
And whilst the defender was faring well in spells under Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard, he has found new levels under Emery.
Konsa’s form hasn’t been disrupted by the loss of his usual centre-back partner Tyrone Mings, adapting well to a duo with Pau Torres.
And Konsa’s consistency could be a huge asset in an England squad which isn’t blessed with too many options at centre-back.
As well as Konsa, Youri Tielemans is also showing clear signs of progress under his new manager.
And Ian Wright has admitted his shock at the level of Tielemans’ performance against Fulham