Ezri Konsa
Ezri Konsa claims it’s ‘difficult’ to judge whether Aston Villa have turned a corner after a poor start to the season as Steven Gerrard’s side failed beat 10-man Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday. Luis Sinisterra’s dismissal early in the second half handed Villa the opportunity to take advantage and win their first game on the road this Premier League season, but Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho squandered opportunties to make the breakthrough. Asked if Villa have taken a step forward under Gerrard in recent weeks,
Ezri Konsa said: “It’s a difficult one. As defenders we are happy with the clean sheet but I think it is normal when a team goes down to 10 men, you always expect to win. That is the biggest frustration. The gaffer was happy with the point, especially at a ground like Elland Road. As players we were frustrated. We knew we had chances to win the game but did not take them. We will go back and work on it. There are a lot of games coming up. We are three unbeaten now. I am sure if we stick together the wins will come.”
Villa have now kept clean sheets in successive Premier League games for the first time under Gerrard since April and Konsa is pleased to have played his part in recent weeks.
Ezri Konsa said: “It feels good, we know the first few games were a struggle for us keeping clean sheets. The last two games we have done it. Hopefully we can continue that. I’ve played there before in my career. Wherever the gaffer puts me, I will play. I wouldn’t call it marauding, but it was alright! It was OK. I think them going down to 10 men made it easier for me because I had a lot of time on the ball and was basically playing as a winger. It is not my job to get on the ball and take on full-backs but I did a job for the team. I’m a professional and wherever the gaffer wants to put me, I will do a job.”
