Aston Villa Stars Shine for England as Konsa Impresses in Victory Over Albania
Two Aston Villa players featured for England on Friday evening as the Three Lions secured a victory over Albania in Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge.
Ezri Konsa started at the heart of England’s defense alongside Newcastle United’s in-form defender, Dan Burn, and the duo ensured a clean sheet. Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers made a late appearance, coming off the bench to replace Curtis Jones with 15 minutes remaining, though the 22-year-old had limited opportunities to make an impact.
Konsa, however, was one of the standout performers.
Konsa’s Impressive Display Against Albania
Determined to shut down Albania’s attack, Konsa won six of his seven contested duels, maintained a 94% pass completion rate, and registered 125 touches throughout the game. His performance was capped off by a crucial last-ditch challenge in the second half, further solidifying his case for a regular starting spot under Tuchel.
Given his strong showing, the Villa defender could be in line for another start on Monday against Latvia as he aims to establish himself as a key figure in Tuchel’s defensive setup. Konsa’s stellar performances for his club this season have also seen his market value rise, with Football Transfers now estimating him at €44.3m (£37m)—a figure that could continue to grow.
Ezri Konsa’s Stats vs Albania (via Sofascore)
Touches: 125
Pass success rate: 94%
Tackles: 1
Total duels (won): 7 (6)
Possession lost: 8
Long balls (accurate): 2 (1)
Jacob Ramsey: Aston Villa’s Next England Star?
One current Villa player eager to prove his worth to Tuchel is Jacob Ramsey. The midfielder, who has already made 16 appearances for England’s U21s, scoring four goals, has yet to make the step up to the senior squad. However, that could change soon.
This season, Ramsey has featured 34 times, scoring three goals and providing five assists. His performances in the Champions League have been particularly impressive—ranking in the top 1% for pass completion (90.9%), the top 6% for assists (0.57 per game), and the top 5% for shot accuracy (66.7%) among midfielders in the competition.
Lauded as a “special talent” by journalist Sam Tabuteau in 2022, Ramsey is now living up to that potential. His rising stock is reflected in his market value, which currently stands at €45.5m (£37.5m)—making him even more valuable than Konsa.
If Ramsey continues this fine form, he could soon earn a call-up to Tuchel’s squad. Should that happen, he must seize his opportunity—just as Konsa did—if he hopes to secure a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Now worth even more than Konsa: Aston Villa have struck gold on their “special talent” – opinion
