Ezri Konsa played the full 90 minutes for England in their penultimate 2026 World Cup qualifying match and has his sights set on a senior role in the squad.
Aston Villa defender Konsa put in another flawless performance for the Three Lions, who had already qualified for the World Cup with two games to go.
His performances in the last three international windows have cemented his place in the England side. There is some competition for places at center back, but Konsa is the only player to have consistently started for the national team this fall.
Konsa was in front of the media ahead of England’s 2-0 win over Serbia at Wembley on Thursday and discussed the captaincy issue at club and country level with reporters.
“It is a role I would like to play” the 28-year-old saidwho captained Villa in their most recent Europa League match.
“I recently took on that responsibility for Aston Villa and I really enjoyed it. For me as a defender it is very important to be a leader. Who knows, maybe one day I will be able to wear the armband.”
Will Ezri Konsa become Aston Villa captain?
Villa manager Unai Emery confirmed after Villa’s Europa League win against Maccabi Tel Aviv that Konsa led the team to Villa Park as he is now the club’s recognized vice-captain.
John McGinn is the team’s long-standing captain and Konsa is next in line when McGinn is not on the field, a role that previously belonged to Emiliano Martínez and Tyrone Mings.
Mings, himself a former Villa captain, is no longer the first choice in the team. Martínez has apparently quit Emery’s senior leadership group following the summer transfer window fiasco.
Either way, Konsa is the youngest of the four and is ready to take over when the time comes. He believes he can do something similar for England if 32-year-old Harry Kane hangs up his boots.
Ezri Konsa’s career in England
It’s an ambitious goal, but by no means ridiculous. Konsa is relatively new to the England senior team, but not to international representative football. He joined Villa as an under-21 international in 2019 and has become one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
Konsa did not make his senior England debut until March 2024 and has now made 15 appearances for the Three Lions, including each of the last five. He has played the full game in seven of England’s nine games in 2025 and the only game he missed completely was the only time they lost and the only time they conceded a goal.
Konsa told the media that Emery is responsible for his rapid development over the past three years.
“I started looking at football differently because of the way he wanted us to play. His playing style and my playing style were a wonderful fit. Working with him has been great for my growth,” said the Villa defender.
“Since he came in, I think I’ve managed to do what he asked of me and I’ve been able to grow my game. I’m really enjoying working here under him and enjoying my football.”
#Ezri #Konsa #takes #aim #England #captaincy #credits #Aston #Villa #boss #Unai #Emery #great #growth