Aston Villa’s response to Liverpool’s Ezri Konsa plan revealed
Ezri Konsa has become a crucial part of Aston Villa’s success in recent years and is earning high praise both at club and international level as a result.
Aston Villa have had a mixed start to the season so far, but are now putting together a strong run of form after Unai Emery’s side beat Man City 1-0 last time out.
However, they have been victims of their own success in recent years, with their performances attracting high-profile interest in a number of their best players.
Liverpool are the latest side linked with Konsa as Arne Slot is determined to strengthen his defensive options after their turbulent start to the season so far.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Liverpool want to sign a new centre-back in January and are assessing a number of options for the role.
Aston Villa have no plans to lose Ezri Konsa
Football Insider revealed on 27 October that Aston Villa will not sell Konsa under any circumstances in the January transfer window despite the growing interest.
The likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham are all believed to be admirers of the England international, but will struggle to lure him away from Villa Park.
That is according to former Aston Villa and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his former clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Villa have no plans to entertain offers for the centre-back.
“Aston Villa have been an example in recent years of how to build a team,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s a testament to Villa’s recruitment that so many of their best players are attracting interest.
“The players they’ve brought in, like Konsa and Rogers for example, have reached new levels since they arrived and proved to be very important players for them.
“So Konsa, for example, has impressed at Villa and got himself into the England team.
“That only invites more interest, because he’s playing on a bigger stage, attracting more eyes on his performances, and that leads to more speculation.
“So Villa then have a hell of a job behind the scenes trying to keep him at the club.
“From what I’m told, they’re not massively concerned about his future, because by all accounts he’s happy at Villa and he’s been a crucial part of their success.
“Emery has no plans to let him go because of how important he is to Villa, and I think Villa will be confident that they can keep him.
“Even with teams like Liverpool or Chelsea looking at him, that won’t chance Villa’s position.”
Man City and Tottenham are also among those to have reportedly expressed an interest in the England international, following his impressive start to the season.
Aston Villa line up contract talks for star players
Alongside their efforts to keep Konsa at Villa Park, the club are also putting plans in place to extend the stays of a number of crucial players in Emery’s side.
Football Insider revealed on 24 October that Aston Villa are intensifying talks with Morgan Rogers to hand him a pay rise and deter interest from elsewhere.
Meanwhile, John McGinn is closing in on a new contract and Matty Cash has recently put pen to paper on renewed terms in a display of their commitment to him.
Emery is determined to keep his squad as strong as possible as they continue with ambitious plans for the future both in the Premier League and in the Europa League.
Aston Villa endured a difficult transfer window over the summer, and were heavily restricted by PSR limitations, placing extra importance on keeping their best players.
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