Aston Villa cannot afford to leave the space created by Ezri Konsa’s expected departure unfilled for long.
Arsenal have agreed a deal worth around £51 million for the England defender, who is due to complete the final stages of his move after seven years at Villa Park.
The fee represents strong business for a player approaching the final two years of his contract, but replacing his influence will be far more difficult than replacing his name on the squad list.
Konsa became one of Unai Emery’s most trusted players, offering pace, calm distribution and the flexibility to operate at centre back or on the right when Villa changed shape.
|
Ezri Konsa’s Aston Villa career in numbers |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Apps |
Goals |
Assists |
Yellow cards |
Second-yellow reds |
Straight reds |
Minutes |
|
2019/20 |
31 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
2,582 |
|
2020/21 |
37 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3,227 |
|
2021/22 |
31 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2,584 |
|
2022/23 |
39 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
3,382 |
|
2023/24 |
50 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
4,371 |
|
2024/25 |
50 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4,314 |
|
2025/26 |
48 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4,170 |
|
Total |
286 |
12 |
4 |
29 |
2 |
2 |
24,630 |
Emery regularly asks his defensive line to push high, meaning his centre-backs must be comfortable dealing with runners and isolated in one-v-one situations.
Konsa also provided consistency during Villa’s rise, helping them qualify for the Champions League, win the Europa League and return to Europe’s leading competition.
Villa still have three accomplished centre-backs at Emery’s disposal.
Pau Torres remains their most accomplished passer from the back, while Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelöf provide considerable experience.
Modou Keba Cisse offers younger competition, but asking him to replace Konsa immediately would place huge responsibility on a player still adapting to English football.
Villa are also closing in on the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham, who would strengthen the right side and could tuck into a defensive three, although his arrival would not remove the need for a specialist centre back.
So far, Emery’s side have been reliably linked to Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo, but it is actually a former Blue who they’re currently in contact to sign.
Aston Villa in preliminary talks with AC Milan for Fikayo Tomori
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luca Bianchin, Aston Villa have opened preliminary discussions with AC Milan over Fikayo Tomori.
The talks are at an early stage, with Villa trying to establish what would be required to bring the defender back to England. Crucially, Tomori is reportedly interested in joining Emery’s squad.
Milan are said to value the 28-year-old at about £13 million with his contract expiring next summer, making him a very viable option.
Tomori has fallen foul of new Milan manager Ruben Amorim’s plans despite featuring regularly under Massimiliano Allegri last season.
Reports in Italy claim he was omitted from the squad for a recent friendly against Man United after being placed on the market. The former Chelsea defender joined Milan permanently in 2021 and helped them win Serie A during his first full campaign.
Tomori’s recovery speed is his standout quality. He is aggressive when stepping into midfield and comfortable defending away from his own penalty area, making him a logical candidate for Emery’s high line.
He can also cover at right back and would qualify as a homegrown player for Villa’s domestic and European squad lists.
