IT'S BEEN A TUCH TOUGH

Konsa on Villa's bad start

- by JOHN CROSS

EZRI KONSA is the first to admit it’s been a tough start to the season.

The Aston Villa defender was sent off in his first game in front of England boss Thomas Tuchel, who ended up laughing at him in the tunnel.

Konsa, 27, has also seen his team pick up just one point from their opening three games of the season and they have not yet managed to score a single goal.

The glory days of last season, when Villa were back among Europe's elite in the Champions League for the first time in 41 years, suddenly seem like a long time ago.

Ironically, Villa boss Unai Emery appears to be paying a heavy price for guiding the club back into Europe, as they have had to sell players left, right and centre to comply with UEFA’s tough squad cost ratios.

The Premier League’s PSR regulations have only added to the financial constraints.