Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa set for a spell on the sidelines leaving his England involvement in doubt… as Unai Emery faces a nervous wait over key defender’s fitness

Ezri Konsa faces a spell on the sidelines after the Aston Villa defender suffered an injury that is set to rule him out of England duty.

The centre-back damaged a hamstring following a challenge from Rasmus Hojlund early in Villa’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday and was immediately substituted. 

He will be assessed by England medics ahead of the Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland but it seems hugely doubtful that he will be included.

Villa boss Unai Emery does not know the extent of Konsa’s injury but as the club’s most consistent defender, any lengthy absence would put huge strain on Villa’s bid to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League.

‘I don’t know if it’s a big or small injury,’ said Emery. ‘The players who do not play with their national teams have to rest now and we will try to get players like Amadou Onana, Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn back in the next two weeks.

The centre-back damaged a hamstring while challenging for the ball early in the game

Konsa is consoled by Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez (right) after going down on the pitch

‘Hopefully we will soon have Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings available after long-term injuries and then we have Emiliano Buendia who is getting fitter.’ 

Villa delivered a strangely flat display after the high of their 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League last Wednesday and did not threaten as much as usual.

They did create the best chance of the game in the closing minutes, when Jaden Philogene’s goalbound effort was deflected wide by Diogo Dalot.

Emery admitted: ‘We played in Europe and then played a team like United, who always demand a lot of us. We lost to them at home last season.

‘We were planning to impose ourselves on the game, dominate and try to forget what we did against Bayern. 

Villa boss Unai Emery does not yet know the extent of Konsa’s injury ahead of the international break

‘We wanted to play with all our energy but maybe in the second half we needed to freshen things up – but we didn’t have the options because players like McGinn and Ramsey are injured.

‘But we have finished this month well. We have met our target of being in the top five and challenging in Europe.’

United would love to be in Villa’s position. Boss Erik ten Hag remains under pressure with his team 14th in the table ahead of the international break and admitted his side were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the second half, when Marcus Rashford escaped a second yellow card for tripping Philogene.

Ten Hag added: ‘It was maybe a second foul though it would have been harsh. The best idea was to take him off afterwards to protect him and the team.’