Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has openly discussed the profound impact manager Unai Emery has had on his development, describing his growth under the Spanish tactician as nothing short of "amazing".
From Relegation Battles to Champions League
The 28-year-old centre-back has evolved into one of England's most reliable defenders in recent seasons, playing a pivotal role in Villa's remarkable transformation under Emery's leadership. Where the club once faced relegation concerns, they now stand as Champions League quarter-finalists, with Konsa's consistent performances forming the bedrock of their success.
Konsa's club form has translated directly to international recognition, with the defender cementing himself in Thomas Tuchel's England plans. He has started seven of the German manager's eight games in charge, positioning him ideally during a crucial World Cup year.
Emery's Philosophical Influence
"I just feel right now, at this moment in time, I'm enjoying my football a lot," Konsa revealed during an England press conference. "I feel confident going into games and obviously working under Unai the last three seasons, it's been really important."
The defender emphasised how Emery has fundamentally changed his approach to the game: "I've looked at football differently, the way he's wanted us to play. His style of play, and mine, has been amazing in my growth in football."
Now entering what many consider a defender's prime years at 28, Konsa added: "I feel really good at the moment, playing a lot of games, and hopefully I can stay consistent throughout the whole season."
Mastering the Build-Up Play
Having begun his career at Charlton Athletic and made his Premier League debut as a 21-year-old, Konsa has particularly embraced Emery's emphasis on controlled build-up play from defence.
When asked to identify the most significant lesson from his manager, Konsa didn't hesitate: "Centre-backs to start the build-up. Take time on the ball, make sure you go into the opposition, drive into it and not pass too early. So I think since he's come in, I've managed to do that. I've managed to grow my game and I really enjoying working under him."
Konsa is expected to feature prominently in England's final World Cup qualifiers, beginning with Thursday's match against Serbia at Wembley. Though England have already secured qualification for next summer's tournament, maintaining standards remains paramount.
The return of Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Manchester City's Phil Foden strengthens the squad, but Konsa insists the collective drives excellence: "We all drive the standards. That's what we're here for, to set standards. Standards have been very high. And Jude and Phil are great players, great additions to the team. It's the same standards when they come. Everyone drives it."
Looking ahead to the Serbia clash, Konsa acknowledged the challenge: "We want to win these two games, and obviously we know that Serbia are going to come out strong. They need to win. They've got a new coach, great players as well. So it is going to be a tough game, but I'm sure we'll be ready."
