Stan Collymore has slammed Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa for his recent performances and warned suitors not to sign him amid links with Liverpool.
Collymoore hits out at Konsa despite Emery praise
Unai Emery has a real selection dilemma in defence, with the Villa manager recently taking the time to praise all the current centre-backs he has available.
Emery said: “We have a fantastic four centre-backs. They are different. Lindelof is always ready to play and when he is playing, he is adding to us his experience, his qualities and capacity to perform at a high level.
“Pau is consistent as well. So is Tyrone, though he was feeling on Saturday not very good, in some pain, which is why he did not play on Sunday. But Pau is responding as well and when not, there is Tyrone. Konsa as well is being consistent.
“I think we have now four centre-backs who are getting the performance we need. I am so happy with them.”
As the Spaniard is blessed with options at the back, he has rotated in recent weeks, with Konsa failing to make it off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Collymore has since hit back at the notion Konsa has been putting in “consistent” performances for Aston Villa, and believes his poor form is the reason Emery dropped him.
The former forward also urged Liverpool not to sign the centre-back.
“There was also talk of Ezri Konsa arriving from Aston Villa, but he has had a dreadful couple of months, to the extent that he was dropped for the game against Nottingham Forest. He is tipped to start for England at the World Cup, but if he continues in this vein of form, it will put off potential buyers.”
In truth, the criticism seems a little harsh, given that the 28-year-old has been leading the way among the Aston Villa squad in terms of average blocks (0.9) and clearances (3.6) per 90 in the Premier League this season.
Villa were unable to keep a clean sheet in Konsa’s absence, drawing 1-1 against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground, with Pau Torres and Victor Lindelof not exactly pulling up any trees.
Pau Torres
Torres lost the majority of the duels he contested against the Tricky Trees, although he was composed in possession of the ball, in what was a solid, but not spectacular display.
Pau Torres’ key stats vs Nottingham Forest
- 71/77 passes completed (92%)
- Duels (won) 8 (3)
- 1 tackle
- 1 blocked shot
Victor Lindelof
Lindelof, on the other hand, wasn’t quite as involved in the game, only contesting one duel throughout the entire match, despite playing the full 90 minutes.
The 31-year-old completed just two defensive actions, so it will be interesting to see if Emery calls upon Konsa for the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Bologna on Thursday night.
Emery must drop Aston Villa star who was just as bad as Rogers vs Forest
Aston Villa were held to a draw against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.