LOOKING UP
Villa back to basics
ASTON VILLA could be relegated at West Ham on Sunday if they fail to end the season without an away clean sheet.
But manager Dean Smith seems to have found the answer just in time – a centre-back partnership working wonders. Smith’s men hauled themselves out of the Premier League drop zone this week for the first time since February with their 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Skipper Jack Grealish received much of the acclaim, along with scorer Trezeguet. But behind them, the form of England defender
Tyrone Mings and
England Under-21 international Ezri
Konsa has been key.
The duo were put together at the heart of defence three games ago after injury to
Kortney Hause saw
Konsa, 22, moved inside from right-back.
The improvements have been dramatic with seven points and just one goal conceded since.
It is a far cry from Villa’s tailspin before lockdown which culminated in a 4-0 thrashing at Leicester.
But Smith and assistant John
Terry,
Chelsea’s legendary defender, used the time wisely in the pandemic with tactical
Zoom coaching sessions.
Another shut-out for at least a point on Sunday may be enough to preserve their status.
Villa are fourth from bottom, safe for now by a better goal difference of one from Watford, who go to Arsenal on the same points, and Bournemouth, who are three points behind.
Smith, who signed Konsa at Brentford before bringing him to Villa last summer for £12m, said: “Ezri is one of our most improved players and is 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.
“Ezri has been excellent since we have come back. 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.”
Smith also said the squad’s improved fitness means players now keep their concentration better and for longer in games.