Aston Villa open contract talks with Ezri Konsa as a reward for his fine form under Unai Emery, with former boss Dean Smith admitting he ‘doesn’t know why’ he hasn’t been picked for England

• Konsa has been a regular for Villa under three different managers since signing
• Smith branded the defender, set for a big pay increase, ‘a Rolls Royce’ of a player
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

Ezri Konsa is in talks over a new Aston Villa contract after establishing himself as a key player under Unai Emery.

The centre-back has been a regular for three separate managers – Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and Emery – since joining Villa in summer 2020 and has an outside chance of breaking into the England squad for Euro 2024 next summer.

Konsa last extended his deal with Villa two years ago, with that arrangement running until summer 2026. But these fresh discussions are a sign of the progress Konsa has made and the new terms would move him closer to Villa’s top pay bracket.

This season, Konsa lost his regular partner Tyrone Mings to a serious knee injury in the club’s opening day defeat at Newcastle, and is now building an understanding in the middle with summer signing Pau Torres.

Former Villa boss Dean Smith was in charge when Konsa joined from Brentford and he is baffled that the 25-year-old has yet to earn an international call.

Aston Villa have opened talks with defender Ezri Konsa over signing a new contract at the club

Konsa has been a key member of the Villa squad and the club’s vast improvement under manager Unai Emery

Konsa’s former manager Dean Smith has admitted he ‘doesn’t know’ why Konsa is yet to be picked for England

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He told the BBC: ‘I am amazed he is not playing for England yet. He is a Rolls Royce of a player. 

‘He made a big mistake against Newcastle for the second goal, but he has recovered from that. He is a top player.

‘I don’t know why he isn’t being picked. He’s one of the standouts. Steven Gerrard came in after me and kept playing him.

‘They have brought in centre-halves since then and Unai keeps playing him as well. That’s a sign he is rated.’

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