---
title: "Paul Merson says ‘under-the-radar’ Konsa ‘has a bright future’"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2022/03/05/paul-merson-says-under-the-radar-ezri-konsa-has-a-bright-future/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-03-05T07:05:00Z"
modified: "2022-03-05T07:05:00Z"
---

# Paul Merson says ‘under-the-radar’ Konsa ‘has a bright future’

Ezri Konsa has an uncertain future at Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard is reportedly unhappy with the 24-year-old’s consistency this season, but Paul Merson came to his defence and was full of praise.

Konsa has been a regular alongside Tyrone Mings and helped the Villans keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion last week, so he’s still an important player despite the rumours.

Merson agrees, writing in his [Sportskeeda](https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/paul-merson-s-predictions-manchester-city-vs-manchester-united-premier-league-gw28-fixtures) column: “Konsa, in my opinion, is someone who always goes under the radar. I think he’s Villa’s best defender and has a bright future ahead of him.”

Konsa [joined](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ezri-konsa/transfers/spieler/413403) Villa from Brentford in 2019 and has gone on to make [92 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ezri-konsa/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/413403) across the board, scoring six goals with two assists to his name. The 24-year-old played in all but two of Villa’s Premier League games [last season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ezri-konsa/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/413403) and has played in all but three of their top-flight matches this campaign.

Konsa has won [49/84 aerial duels](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/301440/Show/Ezri-Konsa), made 5/7 successful dribbles, blocked 17 shots, made 59 clearances, give away one foul every 145 minutes, been dribbled past only three times and has averaged a tackle (21) or interception (12) every 57 minutes in his 22 league appearances.

Regardless of the rumours, Konsa is Gerrard’s go-to man alongside Mings and was [close to getting an England callup](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/14289294/aston-villa-ezri-konsa-england-call-up-gareth-southgate/) last year, so could he really be surplus to requirements?

***[In other news, Gabriel Agbonlahor says ‘great’ Ollie Watkins ‘feeds off confidence’](https://readastonvilla.com/2022/03/04/gabriel-agbonlahor-says-great-ollie-watkins-feeds-off-confidence/)***