Ezri Konsa Shines as England Defeats Albania
Ezri Konsa was the standout performer for Aston Villa as England secured a 2-0 victory over Albania on Friday.
Unai Emery had three players included in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad—Konsa, Marcus Rashford, and Morgan Rogers. However, only Konsa and Rashford made the starting XI, with Rogers coming off the bench in the 74th minute.
While Rashford’s performance received criticism, Konsa’s contributions went somewhat unnoticed despite his solid display.
Konsa Earns Praise for England Display
Konsa has been a key figure for Villa this season, but this time, he excelled on the international stage. According to FotMob, he won all four of his ground duels, maintained a 94% pass accuracy, and showcased his ability on both ends of the pitch.
Renowned journalist Henry Winter believes Konsa’s performance didn’t get the recognition it deserved. Speaking on talkSPORT (March 23, 10:23 AM), he remarked:
“The centre-half who really impressed but went slightly under the radar in all the headlines was Ezri Konsa.”
Konsa’s Case for a Regular England Spot
While Dan Burn grabbed the headlines, Konsa’s assured performance could strengthen his claim for a starting spot in Tuchel’s future line-ups. He displayed composure on the ball and a no-nonsense defensive approach, reinforcing his credentials as a reliable option for England.
Konsa’s Stats vs. Albania:
Minutes played: 90
Pass accuracy: 94%
Clearances: 1
Recoveries: 3
Ground duels won: 4/4 (100%)
Aerial duels won: 2/3 (67%)
Having made just nine appearances for England under Gareth Southgate and falling behind Marc Guehi at last summer’s European Championships, Konsa now has a chance to stake his claim as a regular starter ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Given his form, it would be no surprise to see him earn another cap when England faces Latvia at Wembley on Monday. After making over 220 appearances for Aston Villa, Konsa now has the opportunity to prove himself as a world-class defender on the international stage.
View: 100% Aston Villa ace flies under the radar as Henry Winter hails ‘Excellent’ int’l display
