As England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Switzerland edges closer, two Aston Villa players will be waiting to learn their fate.
It’s been a difficult time for Aston Villa’s representatives at Euro 2024 so far, with only two players remaining in the tournament.
Four of Unai Emery’s stars travelled to Germany for the competition, with John McGinn eliminated at the group stages and Youri Tielemans exiting after the Round of 16.
Despite still being at the Euros with England, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins have played just 35 minutes between them although, one player’s fate could be about to change.
Stuart Pearce is adamant that Ezri Konsa will start for England against Switzerland at Euro 2024
While Watkins seems to have dropped down the pecking order by no fault of his own, Konsa is in line to secure a start on Saturday evening.
The defender made his tournament debut last time out against Slovakia, coming on as a substitute during added time.
Now, Southgate has a decision to make as first-choice centre-back Marc Guehi will be suspended from the quarter-final clash against Switzerland, with many backing the Villa man to take his place.
Speaking on talkSPORT, pundit Stuart Pearce expressed his expectation that Konsa will start alongside John Stones.
“I think for me it’s Konsa. Konsa has been the one that has come on in the leadup friendlies as such a little bit more regular than Lewis Dunk.
“I see him ahead of Lewis Dunk personally. I think Konsa is ahead of him. I think he will get the shout for the game on Saturday without a doubt ahead of him.”
Surprisingly, Konsa hasn’t already had a chance to start at the tournament considering his superb international form in the build-up to the Euros however, his luck could change on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate must look to Konsa regardless of centre-back dilemma
Southgate should be a busy man in preparation for the quarter-final, with plenty of issues to solve after England’s abysmal showing against Slovakia.
The Three Lions were shameful in all areas of the pitch, including the defence where Konsa could have helped at both right-back and in central areas.
At Villa, Emery utilised the 26-year-old’s versatility at right-back throughout the campaign, giving Southgate something else to think about after Kyle Walker’s horror show in the Round of 16.
Only time will tell if the England manager is to finally make the necessary changes, with Konsa’s claim to start in place of Guehi perhaps the strongest in the squad at present.
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