Dean Smith takes Gareth Southgate swipe over Aston Villa's 'Rolls-Royce'
Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Dean Smith criticises Gareth Southgate for overlooking Ezri Konsa for England call-up
Former Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith can't believe Ezri Konsa is yet to receive his first senior England call-up.
Smith has signed Konsa twice, once as manager of Brentford and then following Villa's promotion back to the Premier League in 2019, he signed the defender again. Since joining Villa from the Bees, Konsa has made a total of 145 appearances and has been a mainstay in the side despite playing under three different managers during his four years at the club.
The 25-year-old has started all seven of the club's games in all competitions so far this season, but appears to be no closer to breaking into Gareth Southgate's England squad after Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi and Levi Colwill were all called up for the September internationals.
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“A big player I think, for them this season, is going to be Ezri Konsa,” said Smith on BBC 5 Live. “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, boy, has he recovered from that. He is a top player.
On why Konsa isn’t getting picked for England: “I don’t know, in all honesty. He’s one of the standouts, for me. The fact that Steven Gerrard came in after me and kept playing him.
"They have brought in centre-halves since then as well, and now Unai keeps playing him as well. That’s a sign, for me, he is rated.”