As Aston Villa continue preparations to face Luton Town this weekend, Unai Emery is hoping to be handed a major injury boost as Ezri Konsa closes in on a return.
The 26-year-old has firmly established himself as an integral figure in the Villa side under the Spaniard, featuring as an almost ever-present again so far this season prior to the knee injury he sustained in the win at Sheffield Utd earlier this month.
While the initial prognosis ruled him out for a significant period, Konsa provided the Villa boss with a timely boost this week, as confirmed in the club’s latest images from training, as he rejoined the group at Bodymoor Heath and is seemingly closing in on a comeback.
Konsa has missed four games across all competitions thus far, with Villa winning two and losing two, while conceding eight goals.
It remains to be seen if he is indeed in contention to feature this weekend, whether that’s from the bench or immediately back in the Villa starting line-up, but our form without him has shown just how important he is for us in both phases of the game.
While it’s also hoped that Pau Torres will be passed fit to start on Saturday evening after he was forced off with an injury scare last time out in the win over Nottingham Forest, the pair are so crucial to how we want to play both defensively and in possession.
Their discipline, tactical awareness, organisation, leadership and technical ability all make them fundamental for Emery, and even if it’s shifting across and filling in at right-back if needed, Konsa is a pillar of this Villa side and pivotal to our hopes of success in both the Premier League and Europa Conference League.
Even in the event that the Luton game comes too soon for him, with our European tie with Ajax fast approaching and crunch showdowns with the likes of Tottenham and West Ham Utd coming up too, it’s vital that we get back to being as close to full strength as possible.
Having a settled backline is a huge factor in our bid to continue to build momentum and get back to playing our best football, and so getting Konsa back, and hopefully restored alongside Torres this weekend, will give all concerned a major lift as we look ahead to another tough assignment.
Further, Villa have had brutal luck with injuries this season when considering not only the long-term absentees such as Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia and Boubacar Kamara, but we’ve consistently had to deal with setbacks across the squad with the likes of Jacob Ramsey, Alex Moreno and Torres being ruled out at various points.
As we now head deeper into the business end of the campaign, it’s hoped we can keep our leading figures healthy, and getting Konsa back, whether against Luton or Ajax, will be a massive boost, and hopefully helps us rediscover our best form at the back to rebuild a strong foundation to go on and win these crucial games.
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— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 28, 2024