Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago

Unai Emery will be absolutely fuming after what Thomas Tuchel said about Aston Villa star

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on

Unai Emery should be furious with the England head coach after a new injury update on one of Aston Villa's most important players.

England beat Serbia 2-0 on Thursday, 13 November, with goals coming from Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, and another clean sheet for Everton's Jordan Pickford.

It mattered very little, however, after the Three Lions qualified for the World Cup in the previous international window, but it was still good preparation for Thomas Tuchel's players.

There were already concerns over a potential new injury for Morgan Rogers, albeit they were put to bed with the attacker starting against Serbia, but a new blow has been confirmed.

Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa in action for England
Ezri Konsa was unable to complete training due to an injury. (Credit: Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel drops Ezri Konsa injury update

Tuchel could have given a debut to Jarell Quansah, or even handed Trevoh Chalobah a chance to shine, but Ezri Konsa was back in the starting lineup alongside John Stones anyway.

Now, that decision appears to have backfired ahead of facing Albania on Sunday, 16 November, with the experienced centre-back having to pull out of training.

Speaking about the Villa defender, Tuchel confirmed that Konsa had not travelled to Albania, saying: "Ezri has a tight calf and couldn’t finish training today.

England manager Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel admitted the injury blow for England.

"He will get further assessment in London, and he's staying 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.”

Unai Emery may have to deal without Konsa at Villa Park

Konsa has started 10 of Villa's Premier League games to date, only missing one game via an opening-day red card against Newcastle United. Other than that, he has been as solid as a rock.

It was a difficult start to the campaign for the Villans, but after several positive results, Emery's side are sitting sixth in the Premier League table, just one point outside the Champions League spots.

While the manager has Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, and Tyrone Mings to choose from, Konsa is always the most consistent of them all, and his missing would be absolutely crushing.

Of course, players can get injured while on international duty, but when there is nothing riding on England's games after already qualifying, Emery will not be best pleased if one of his best stars returns to Villa Park injured.

www.footballinsider247.com