By Gabriel Agbonlahor

21st Sep, 2023 | 10:00am

Talks open: Ezri Konsa backed to agree bumper Aston Villa deal - expert

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted “outstanding” Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa is fully deserving of a new contract at the club as talks get underway.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 25-year-old is the undisputed “number one” centre-back available to Unai Emery despite big-money deals for Diego Carlos and Pau Torres.

According to the Daily Mail (20 September), Konsa is in talks over a new Aston Villa contract after establishing himself as a key player under Emery.

His current deal is set to expire in June 2026, but the report claims new discussions are taking place about potentially handing the defender a bumper new terms sheet.

Konsa has started every game for Aston Villa this season, playing all 450 minutes of action in the Premier League.

He has been at the club since 2019 and has now racked up 145 appearances for the Midlands giants.

Centre-backs Tyrone Mings and Diego Carlos are currently on the treatment table at Villa Park.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s a guaranteed starter.

“Diego Carlos was brought in to play alongside Konsa after Gerrard dropped Mings, but he got injured.

“He’s come back and not really been the same. Mings is injured as well now.

“Konsa is the number one centre-back at the club, with Torres and Carlos fighting to play alongside him.

“He’s been outstanding and he deserves a new contract. He’s Mr Consistent for us, apart from a mistake against Newcastle – but all defenders can make mistakes like that.

“You know what you’re going to get from Konsa.”

In other news, Aston Villa recieve “mega-money” transfer payment.