England continued their impressive run of form with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night, a result that keeps the momentum building for Thomas Tuchel's side.
The World Cup qualifying match saw goals from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze secure the three points for the Three Lions, who have already secured their place at next summer's tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Aston Villa Defender Ezri Konsa Earns High Praise
Ezri Konsa, the 28-year-old Aston Villa defender, delivered what was described as an 'ice-cool' performance at the heart of England's defence. Now boasting 14 international caps, Konsa demonstrated his versatility, capable of playing at both centre-back and right-back.
Sky Sports was particularly effusive in their praise, awarding him an 8/10 rating. Their verdict highlighted his crucial role: "You can't play brave football without brave defenders. And there is a quiet assurance about Ezri Konsa in that regard."
The analysis continued, emphasising how his composed ball-playing and recovery pace perfectly suited Tuchel's high-line defensive system, effectively neutralising the threat of Serbia's powerful striker, Dusan Vlahovic.
BBC Sport offered a more measured assessment, granting Konsa a 6/10. They noted it was a relatively straightforward evening for the entire England backline, but acknowledged his effectiveness in starting attacks from deep positions.
Mixed Night for Villa Teammate Morgan Rogers
For fellow Aston Villa representative Morgan Rogers, the evening proved more challenging. The 23-year-old attacker, who has now made nine appearances for his country, was given the nod to start in the coveted number 10 role, ahead of star player Jude Bellingham.
Despite this show of faith from manager Tuchel, Rogers struggled to impose himself on the game. ESPN rated his performance a 6/10, noting that he "really failed to get going" and was unable to stamp his authority on the match beyond a few promising moments.
The Independent was even harsher in its judgement, handing him a 5/10. Their review pointed to a quiet display and questioned whether his performance was enough to retain his place for the upcoming fixture, highlighting a missed opportunity where he slipped in the box. Rogers was substituted for Bellingham after the hour mark.
Looking Ahead for England
The victory sets England up perfectly for their next World Cup qualifying challenge: an away trip to face Albania this weekend. The team will be looking to maintain their perfect record and carry this confident mood forward.
For the Aston Villa contingent, the international break provides a mixed bag. Konsa's stock continues to rise as a key component of the national team's defence, while Rogers will be aiming to learn from this experience and force his way back into contention.
