Aston Villa have been handed a fresh injury concern regarding key defender Ezri Konsa while he was on international duty with England.
Konsa's England Setback
The 28-year-old centre-back sustained a calf issue during training with the Three Lions, forcing him to miss England's match against Albania on Sunday. Konsa has become an integral figure for his country under manager Thomas Tuchel, having started the last four consecutive international fixtures.
England boss Tuchel provided a reassuring update via talkSPORT, stating: "Ezri has a tight calf and couldn't finish training today. He will get further assessment in London and he's stayed in London. We think it's nothing, we don't even think it's an injury, but it's just a discomfort and not worth the risk."
What This Means for Aston Villa
The Premier League club will be anxiously awaiting results of the further assessment in London. Konsa's potential absence would represent a significant blow for Unai Emery's side, who have seen their form improve dramatically in recent weeks.
Villa currently sit sixth in the table after eleven fixtures, just one point outside the top four. They come into the international break on a high after demolishing AFC Bournemouth 4-0 at Villa Park, with goals from Emi Buendia, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen.
Their next challenge is an away trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United, where they'll be eager to maintain their momentum.
Konsa's Importance to Club and Country
The London-born defender has developed into one of Aston Villa's most prized assets since his £12million move from Brentford in 2019. His versatility allows him to play both at right-back and in central defence, providing crucial tactical flexibility for manager Emery.
Konsa has made 252 appearances across all competitions for the Midlands club, contributing 10 goals from defence. His consistent performances have cemented his status as a mainstay for both Villa and England, where he has earned 17 caps.
Tuchel acknowledged Konsa's heavy workload, suggesting the enforced break might not be entirely negative: "He played a lot for Aston Villa. He arrived with a lot of minutes in camp so he was a candidate to maybe get a break. Now he's forced to take a break, it's not a problem."
Villa supporters will hope the assessment confirms Tuchel's initial optimism and that their defensive linchpin returns to full fitness quickly.
