Former Aston Villa manager ‘used to wind Ezri Konsa up’ as he discusses the team’s success under Unai Emery

Former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has shared a story about Ezri Konsa’s early Premier League days, highlighting just how far the defender has come.

Speaking to The Athletic, Smith revealed how Konsa didn’t enjoy being moved out of position, only to later become one of the most reliable players in Unai Emery‘s system.

“I used to wind Konsa up, because the year we stayed up, I moved him to right-back for a few games, and he didn’t particularly enjoy it,” Smith recalled.

“I bumped into him after one game he played right-back under Unai and said, ‘Oh, you look like you enjoy it now.’ He obviously doesn’t, but he does it very well.”

It was a tongue-in-cheek moment that speaks volumes about Konsa’s evolution. What was once an uncomfortable shift to the right-back position has now become a demonstration of his adaptability and calm under pressure.

Even when forced into unfamiliar roles, Konsa has shown the professionalism that makes him indispensable to Villa’s back line.

From raw defender to Villa mainstay

When 21-year-old Konsa signed for newly promoted Premier League club Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee in 2019, he was considered a talented but raw defender.

Under Smith, he learned quickly what it meant to battle for survival in the Premier League. Filling in at right-back during Villa’s first season gave him resilience and versatility that continue to define his game today.

Emery’s trust in Konsa

By the time Emery took charge, Konsa had already established himself as a reliable centre-back for Villa. His positioning, composure on the ball and ability to read danger have made him one of Villa’s most consistent performers across domestic and European competitions.

Emery’s system demands intelligence from defenders, especially when asked to cover wide spaces when full-backs push forward.

Konsa has adapted seamlessly, often stepping into those situations when necessary. While he may never enjoy being shifted across the line, as Smith joked, he has generally made it look effortless.

Smith’s lasting influence

Smith’s anecdote is more than just a playful dig. It highlights how early challenges shaped Konsa’s career.

Smith not only signed him from Brentford, their shared former club, but also pushed him into difficult situations that helped build the mental toughness required to succeed at this level.

Reflecting on Villa’s current squad, Smith noted that many of the players he brought through with Konsa included have since become ‘established Premier League players’.

For Konsa, that foundation has led to a career that now sees him having played Champions League football and led Villa’s defence against some of Europe’s best. He is also one of England’s foremost options in his position for the upcoming World Cup.

For all the focus on Smith’s attacking signings and engine room midfielders like Ollie Watkins and John McGinn, Konsa’s presence remains quietly crucial. He doesn’t grab headlines every week but he embodies the journey Villa has taken since promotion.

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