Foundations in place for us to build – Ezri
IT’S a crucial partnership that will set the foundations for Villa’s Premier League campaign as they strive to keep well away from the dreaded drop zone.
Villa’s incredible revival with four games to go last term was arguably down to two men, midfield dynamo Douglas Luiz and centre-back Ezri Konsa.
And it’s the latter who has revealed just how vital his partnership with Tyrone Mings will be in the new season.
“I want to continue developing my partnership with Tyrone,” said 22-year-old Konsa.
“We grew as the season went on, especially towards the end in the final four games, and it’s something I’m looking to build on.
“It’s always good to have a rightfooted centre-half and a left-footed centre-half, it balances it well.”
The pair formed a rocksolid partnership following Kortney Hause’s injury prior to the Crystal Palace victory. The former Wolves man pulled up in the warm-up and Konsa switched seamlessly from right-back to centreback.
“I did it a few years ago at Charlton, playing right-back. It’s something that wasn’t new to me,” said Konsa, who cost Villa £12 million from Brentford last summer. With Konsa and Mings brick-like at the back, Villa kept two clean sheets in their final four games. They had managed just four all season prior to Project Restart.
Bjorn Engels and Hause are now fit and pushing Mings and Konsa hard ahead of the new season.
However, for Villa’s season-opener against Sheffield United, it will be the duo who finished the season in sterling fashion that will get the nod from head coach Dean Smith.
“It’s a great opportunity to build again,” said Konsa. “I believe we’ll do much better. We know how the Prem is now.
“We’ve played against the top teams and we know how they play. “There will be a few new faces but it’s the second season for us and it’s time to push on and get in a better position. We need to finish as high up as possible, to build on what we finished on last season.
“It’s been a dream to play and score in the Premier League in my first season.
“I’m learning every day and, with the help of the coaches and teammates, I can only get better.”
Meanwhile, Villa continued their pre-season preparations with a 5-2 victory over Wycombe at Bodymoor Heath.
Douglas Luiz, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett, John McGinn and Ahmed Elmohamady all featured for Dean Smith’s side.
Villa’s goals came from Mbwana Samatta, Konsa, Trezeguet and an Anwar El Ghazi brace.
Orjan Nyland also stood tall to save a penalty in the second half, with Villa leading 3-1 at the time.