Ezri Konsa: Aston Villa must take their chances

The hosts enter the match desperate for a victory to reignite their rapidly fading survival hopes.

Villa’s cause has not been helped by a return of just two goals in six matches since the Premier League restarted and Konsa believes an inability to capitalise while on top has proved their downfall.

“We have a massive four games left and we need to pick up points very quickly,” he said.

“I feel we have started well in every game. The first 20 minutes we have put teams under pressure. We have had chances but we have not taken them. That is something we need to improve on.”

Villa could find themselves seven points adrift of safety by kick-off depending on results elsewhere.

Dean Smith’s team were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United on Thursday night, with Konsa involved in the game’s biggest talking point when the visitors were awarded a penalty despite visiting forward Bruno Fernandes appearing to tread on the Villa defender’s leg.

“We’re disappointed. We have been saying it every week now for the last five games,” he said. “I felt we were on top, the first 20 minutes. Then there was the penalty. I didn’t think it was at the time and looking back at it now I still don’t think it was.

“I thought we were causing them problems but the penalty deflated us and gave them more confidence. Of course (I was expecting it to be overturned). He made contact with my ankle. Looking back I thought it would be overturned but it did not go our way.

“You have to stay strong mentally and try to get back into the game. Unfortunately we couldn’t do that.”