Former boss lauds 'Rolls-Royce' Aston Villa defender ahead of World Cup

Former Villa boss Dean Smith has backed “Rolls-Royce” defender Ezri Konsa to shine for England at the World Cup.

Konsa is in contention to start next Wednesday’s Group L opener against Croatia, after playing more than 70 minutes in their 3-0 warm-up win against Costa Rica.

The 28-year-old is a player Smith knows well having signed him twice, first for Brentford from Charlton, before then taking him to Villa in a £12million deal seven years ago.

Konsa has gone on to establish himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and is now preparing for his second major international tournament.

Smith told BBC 5Live: “He is like a Rolls-Royce. I love the way he plays.

“He is actually one of the most fouled centre-backs I have ever seen. He wins free-kicks like no other centre-back can.

“But yeah, he has come on leaps and bounds.

“People started likening him to Paul McGrath at Villa and Paul McGrath is known as God.”

Konsa is battling with Manchester City duo John Stones and Marc Guehi to start at centre-back, having been paired with the former against Costa Rica.

Smith believes it is the Villa player’s greatest strength is his ability to defend one against one.

He said: “He was one who was flagged up by the recruitment department at Brentford.

“I went to watch him against Shrewsbury in the play-offs and he was playing right-back at the time.

“He is athletic, good in the air, a good defender. Man City played at Villa last season and Jack Grealish came up to me after the game saying I hope Ezri isn’t playing right-back because I don’t want to be playing one-v-one.

“I think that is his biggest strength. He is very calm on the ball but one-v-one he is outstanding.”