Ezri Konsa has committed his future to Aston Villa by signing a new five-year contract.
The centre-back was already tied down until the summer of 2026 but has now put pen to paper on an improved deal, which prolongs his stay at the West Midlands club by a further 24 months.
Konsa, who came through the Charlton Athletic youth system, joined from Brentford in 2019.
The 25-year-old Newham-born defender has established himself as a key member of the Villa line-up, making 145 appearances since arriving.
Konsa has started all five of their Premier League fixtures this season and both legs of the Europa Conference League play-off against Hibernian, helping Unai Emery’s side to three clean sheets.
It is expected that Villa will next look to reach an agreement with striker Ollie Watkins, whose existing terms are scheduled to expire in 2025.
Villa travel to Legia Warsaw for their Conference League debut on Thursday before returning to domestic action at Chelsea three days later.
How important is Konza to Villa?
Analysis by Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell
Konsa has long been broadly underappreciated by those outside of the Villa sphere. He was instrumental in qualifying for Europe at the end of last season, forging a partnership with Tyrone Mings that did not concede a goal from open play in Villa’s final seven home matches, and has taken his consistent form into this campaign.
Konsa’s importance to Villa cannot be underestimated and has only grown stronger following the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to Mings. There is a feeling, though, that Unai Emery has taken his game to a new level, capable of fulfilling the remit the head coach demands from his backline, in and out of possession.
Konsa’s excellent recovery pace aids his comfort in defending wide areas. He also distributes the ball well and can play at right-back but tucks in to form a back three in Villa’s build-up, a crucial staple to Emery.
GO DEEPER
Konsa and Watkins’ England omissions are hard to explain
_ (Photo: Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images)_
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