Aston Villa’s search for an Ezri Konsa replacement has quickly narrowed towards two experienced English centre-backs, but Fikayo Tomori and Tosin Adarabioyo would offer Unai Emery very different solutions.
Villa have placed both defenders on their transfer shortlist as Konsa prepares to undergo an Arsenal medical following an agreement worth more than £50million. talkSPORT reports that Tomori and Tosin are under consideration as Villa attempt to restore their centre-back depth.
But replacing Konsa should involve more than simply signing another senior defender.
Read Aston Villa analysis has already highlighted how sharply Villa’s results have fallen without the England international, while his recovery speed and ability to defend space have been particularly valuable within Emery’s system.
That could make Tomori the more natural fit.
Fikayo Tomori offers Aston Villa the closer Konsa profile
Tomori played substantially more first-team football than Tosin last season.
The AC Milan defender accumulated 2,563 Serie A minutes and started 31 of Milan’s 38 league matches. His passing also remained reliable, completing 90.2% of his attempts according to FotMob. (fotmob.com)
Tomori’s biggest attraction, however, could be stylistic.
At 6ft 1in, he does not possess Tosin’s imposing frame, but his mobility and experience defending aggressively away from his own penalty area appear better suited to replacing some of what Villa are losing with Konsa.
Emery regularly asks his centre-backs to manage large spaces when Villa push their defensive line forward.
Konsa’s recovery ability has provided protection when that structure is breached.
Tomori’s athletic profile makes him the more obvious candidate to replicate it.
His contract situation could also present an opportunity. AC Milan officially tied Tomori down until June 2027, meaning he has entered the final year of that agreement, while he has now reportedly been made available for transfer. (acmilan.com) (talksport.com)
Tosin would give Emery something completely different
Tosin should not be dismissed.
Villa had already identified the Chelsea defender as a possible Konsa replacement before Tomori’s name emerged.
Standing at 6ft 5in, the 28-year-old provides significant aerial presence.
FotMob records Tosin winning 70.7% of his aerial duels during the 2025/26 Premier League season, while his 91.3% passing accuracy also demonstrates that he is comfortable circulating possession from defence. (fotmob.com)
There is one concern.
Tosin played only 789 Premier League minutes last season during a campaign interrupted by hamstring and calf problems, whereas Tomori was a regular starter for Milan. (talksport.com)
Chelsea originally signed Tosin to a four-year contract running from July 2024, so Villa would also be negotiating for a player with considerably more contractual protection than Tomori. (chelseafc.com)
Neither would replace Konsa perfectly.
Tosin could strengthen Villa aerially and arrives with extensive Premier League experience.
Tomori, though, appears to answer the more important question.
If Emery wants someone capable of defending the spaces Konsa currently protects rather than simply filling his position on the team sheet, the Milan defender looks the more natural fit.
