Unai Emery picks out Aston Villa star enjoying 'best season of his career' for special praise

Ezri Konsa ended a perfect week on a high - and then received a public pat on the back.

The defender made his England debut during the international break, being rewarded for rejecting the chance to play for Portugal. And he finished the week by bagging his first goal since December 2021 - albeit with a dinked cross that looped over Wolves ’ keeper Jose Sa from an acute angle.

The 26-year-old said: “Did I mean it? Yeah, definitely. Whether it was a cross or not, I meant it, so it’s my goal. I remember my last one - at home - Leicester City.

“I believe there’s more to come from me. Since the boss has come in, I’ve grown a lot, as a player and a man I want to continue learning and improving under him.”

Emery does not hand out praise lightly - his default position is that he is never satisfied. But it would have been difficult to find too much fault with a man who has been Mr. Reliable either at full-back or centre-half since the Spaniard arrived at the club.

He said: “Konsa’s progress has been very good. He’s getting better defensively and offensively. His quality and capacity can give us more and today was a very good example.

“Of course, he’s playing with the national team now and being consistent more than before. It’s his first experience this year playing in Europe with us in Conference League.

“I think it’s his best moment in his career individually and collectively. But as his manager I’m going to push him. I want him to get better. That’s why I’m demanding.”