Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
VILLA’S CENTRAL PERK
Smith’s survival hopes could hang on Mings and Konsa’s new defensive partnership which is working wonders
JUST in time Aston Villa manager Dean Smith seems to have found the key to survival with a new defensive partnership.
Villa hauled themselves out of the drop zone this week for the first time since February with the gutsy 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Skipper and talisman Jack Grealish, a £70million target for Manchester United, received much of the acclaim along with scorer Trezeguet.
But behind them, the form of England defender Tyrone Mings and England Under-21 talent Ezri Konsa is working wonders.
The centre-back partnership was put together three games ago after injury to Kortney Hause saw 22-year-old Konsa moved inside from right-back.
The improvements have been dramatic with seven points and just one goal conceded since.
Smith’s men beat Crystal Palace 2-0 and drew 1-1 at Everton before beating the Gunners.
It’s a far cry from Villa’s tailspin before lockdown that culminated in a 4-0 thrashing at Leicester when Konsa was an unused sub.
But Smith and assistant John Terry, Chelsea’s legendary defender, used the pandemic lay-off wisely with online Zoom coaching sessions.
And how it has paid off. Another shut-out for at least a point on Sunday would be enough to preserve their status.
They could even afford to lose, depending on results elsewhere.
Villa are fourth from bottom, by a better goal difference of just one from both Watford, who go to Arsenal, and Bournemouth, three points behind. They have cut out sloppy mistakes, plus are second only to Southampton in the number of interceptions since the restart.
Little wonder Konsa was left screaming in delight at the final whistle against Arsenal.
To deny the FA Cup finalists star man Pierre-emerick
Aubameyang a single shot on target was some feat.
Alongside him, Mings, 27, was a towering presence, making nine clearances, 36 passes and gained possession eight times.
Smith, who signed Konsa at Brentford before bringing him to Villa last summer for £12million, said: “Ezri is one of our most improved players and showing what Premier League class he is.
“When we started to come back, Tyrone and Kortney made a good partnership with Ezri at right-back.
“Then injury to Kortney has seen Ezri move back inside to his more favoured position.
“He has been excellent. His performance levels have gone up another level.
“The pandemic was unfortunate for everybody but it gave us an opportunity we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”