Aston Villa ace Ezri Konsa makes honest Tyrone Mings admission and gives Pau Torres verdict
Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Ezri Konsa gives Pau Torres insight as centre-back partnership blossoms
Ezri Konsa insists his partnership with Pau Torres is blossoming as he takes on more responsibility to lead the backline after Tyrone Mings’ devastating long-term injury blow.
Mings was stretchered off in Villa’s 5-1 defeat at St. James’ Park on the opening weekend of the season and will be missing for at least the majority of the campaign. Konsa had formed a brilliant partnership with Mings since joining Villa in the summer of 2019, but is now quickly developing an understanding with Torres this season.
The Spanish defender was chased by his former Villarreal manager, Emery, in the summer, and signed for Villa in July. After starting on the bench against Newcastle, Torres has since partnered Konsa in the club’s last six league matches.
READ | Unai Emery confirms triple Aston Villa injury blow ahead of Zrinjski and Wolves
READ | Eight questions to put the record straight on Aston Villa's start to the new season
“I think we are doing really well,” Konsa said of his partnership with Torres ahead of Villa’s Europa Conference League clash with Zrinjski Mostar. “We have got a good understanding of each other even though we haven’t played that many games together.
“He’s a real quality player and he brings different things to the team. I know what I can bring to the team as well. We get on off the pitch as well which helps, so when we go into a game at the weekend we are in sync.
“Especially for Pau, coming from Spain to a new league, it’s never easy and I try my best to help him every day on the pitch and on matchdays to try and speak to him. He speaks good English too which helps. We have a great understanding and long may that continue."
Asked about stepping up in Mings’ absence, Konsa said: “I have always felt like I have always had to add more leadership to my game. I have played alongside Tyrone for many years and I felt like he was the one that was the leader.
“I just used to basically go off him and use him as a guide. Now, it’s unfortunate that he got his injury and we are all behind him, but I feel like it’s time for me to take on that responsibility and help the players that I am playing alongside.”