He's my Mr Konsistent

EMERY: EZRI HAS BECOME A VILLA STAR

- BY JOHN TOWNLEY

EZRI KONSA is living out his dream in an England shirt - and Unai Emery can't help but beam with pride at the prospect of his defender shining on the World Cup stage next summer.

It was a year after Emery replaced Steven Gerrard that Konsa received his first call-up to the Three Lions squad.

Although his progress under Dean Smith had already been evident, Emery’s arrival elevated his - and many of his teammates’ - games to the next level. Once he has played eight more Premier League matches, Konsa will move into the top 10 appearance-makers in the clubs history in the competition.

An Aston Villa stalwart of the Premier League era, Konsa, 27, continues to grow under Emery.