Ezri Konsa

Ezri Konsa
Konsa with England in 2026
Personal information
Full name Ezri Ngoyo Konsa
Date of birth (1997-10-23) 23 October 1997
Place of birth Silvertown, London, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 15
Youth career
2006–2008 Senrab
2008–2016 Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Charlton Athletic 71 (0)
2018–2019 Brentford 42 (1)
2019–2026 Aston Villa 231 (8)
2026– Arsenal 0 (0)
International career‡
2017–2018 England U20 5 (0)
2018–2019 England U21 7 (1)
2024– England 28 (2)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  England
FIFA World Cup
Third place2026 Canada–Mexico–US
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up2024 Germany
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner2017 South Korea
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:10, 21 August 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:10, 18 July 2026 (UTC)

Ezri Ngoyo Konsa (born 23 October 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or right-back for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team.

Konsa came through the academy at Charlton Athletic, and later joined Brentford and Aston Villa. He played for England at youth level, winning the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup with the under-20 team and the 2018 Toulon Tournament with the under-21s, before making his senior debut in March 2024.

Early life

Ezri Ngoyo Konsa[3] was born on 23 October 1997[1] in Silvertown, London,[4] to a DR Congolese father and an Angolan mother.[5] He attended Cumberland Sports College and is a boyhood Tottenham Hotspur supporter.[5][6]

Club career

Charlton Athletic

Konsa began his career with Senrab and joined Charlton Athletic at the age of 11.[5] He began a scholarship in July 2014 and progressed sufficiently to sign a "long term" professional contract on 11 December 2015.[7][8] Eight days later, he received his maiden call into the first-team squad for a Championship match versus Burnley and remained an unused substitute during the 4–0 defeat.[9] Konsa was an unused substitute on one further occasion during the 2015–16 season,[9] which culminated in Charlton's relegation to League One.[10]

Konsa broke into the squad during the pre-season of their 2016–17 season and made his debut on 9 August 2016 with a start in a 1–0 EFL Cup first round defeat to Cheltenham Town.[11][12] He was a regular throughout the 2016–17 season and finished the campaign with 39 appearances.[12] He also showed his versatility by deputising in midfield and at full-back.[11] For his efforts, Konsa was named the club's Young Player of the Year.[13] He signed a new three-year contract in March 2017 and was again a regular during the 2017–18 season,[14] making 47 appearances as Charlton reached the League One play-off semi-finals.[10][15]

Brentford

On 12 June 2018, Konsa signed for Championship club Brentford on a three-year contract, with the option of a further year, for an undisclosed fee,[16] reported to be £2.5 million.[17] He was a first choice in central defence throughout the 2018–19 season and scored the first senior goal of his career in a 3–0 victory over Preston North End on the final day.[18]

Aston Villa

Konsa with Aston Villa in 2026

On 11 July 2019, Konsa signed for newly promoted Premier League club Aston Villa, for an undisclosed fee.[19] The move reunited Konsa with Dean Smith, who signed him for Brentford one year earlier, and Richard O'Kelly. He scored on his debut for Villa in an EFL Cup tie against Crewe Alexandra on 27 August 2019.[20] On 21 January 2020, Konsa assisted Tyrone Mings to set up the winning goal in a 2–1 victory against Watford.[21] He scored his first Premier League goal on 16 July 2020, in a 1–1 away draw at Everton.[22]

On 2 April 2021, Konsa signed a contract extension with Aston Villa until 2026.[23][24] On 5 December 2021, Konsa scored twice in a 2–1 Premier League victory over Leicester City, becoming the first defender to score twice in a Premier League match for Aston Villa since 2010.[25]

On 15 May 2022, Konsa suffered a serious knee injury in a home game against Crystal Palace.[26] Scans confirmed that, although Konsa would miss the remaining two games of the 2021–22 season, he was expected to be fit again in August or September 2022.[27]

Konsa returned from injury on the opening day of the 2022–23 season on 6 August 2022, and once again established himself as a first-team regular for Aston Villa.[28] On 20 September 2023, he signed a new long-term contract at the club.[29] On 15 April 2025, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 3–2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain during the quarter-finals of the competition.[30]

On 6 November 2025, Konsa captained Aston Villa in a 2–0 UEFA Europa League victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. After the match, manager Unai Emery confirmed that Konsa had been made Villa's new vice captain, deputising John McGinn.[31] On 20 May 2026, Konsa started in the 2026 UEFA Europa League final, which Aston Villa won 3–0.[32]

Arsenal

On 21 August 2026, Konsa signed for Premier League club and defending champions Arsenal on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £51 million.[33][34]

International career

Youth

Konsa was a member of the England squad that won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup with his only appearance of the tournament coming as a 93rd-minute substitute during the 3–1 semi-final victory over Italy.[35]

Konsa was named in the under-21 squad for the 2018 Toulon Tournament and made two appearances.[36][37] He was an unused substitute during the 2–1 victory over Mexico in the final.[36] Konsa scored his first international goal on his fourth cap, in a 7–0 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification win over Andorra on 11 October 2018.[36] He was named in the squad for the tournament finals,[18] but made just one appearance, as a substitute in the Young Lions' dead rubber final group stage match.[36]

Senior

Konsa received his first call-up for the England senior team in November 2023 ahead of their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Malta and North Macedonia,[38] but did not play in either match. He made his debut on 23 March 2024, as a 20th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium in a friendly.[39]

On 6 June 2024, Konsa was named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[40] He made his competitive debut in the round of 16 win over Slovakia, playing the second half of extra time after replacing Jude Bellingham.[41] In the quarter-final against Switzerland, he was selected to start in place of the suspended Marc Guéhi, playing 78 minutes before being substituted for Cole Palmer as England eventually won via a penalty shoot-out.[42] He went on to play the final minute of stoppage time as a substitute for Bukayo Saka in England's 2–1 semi-final win against the Netherlands.[43]

On 9 September 2025, Konsa scored his first senior international goal, the third in a 5–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification victory away at Serbia.[44]

Konsa with England at the 2026 World Cup

On 22 May 2026, Konsa was selected in England's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[45] On 17 June, Konsa made his World Cup debut, starting alongside John Stones in central defence in England's opening match against Croatia.[46] He went on to partner Marc Guéhi against Ghana and Panama in the second and third group fixtures,[47][48] keeping back-to-back clean sheets. On 6 July, he started at centre back in England's 3–2 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, before moving to right back after Jarell Quansah's 54th-minute red card.[49] He continued at right back in the 2–1 quarter-final win over Norway on 12 July.[50] On 18 July, Konsa also played during the third-place match against France, scoring a goal in a 6–4 victory.[51]

Style of play

A right-footed centre-back[52] who can also be deployed as a right-back,[53][54] Konsa is considered a quick defender[55] who frequently carries the ball up the field[56] and gets blocks in on shots.[57] He is noted to have a high clean tackle percentage rate compared to other defenders, rarely going in for last-chance tackles,[57] and in April 2024 he had a 91 percent tackle rate, the highest of any defender in the big five leagues.[54] He is also noted as a player who frequently wins duels, both aerially and on the ground.[58][59][56]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 20 May 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlton Athletic 2015–16[60] Championship 000000——00
2016–17[12] League One 3203010—3[a]0390
2017–18[15] League One 3902020—4[b]0470
Total 7105030—70860
Brentford 2018–19[61] Championship 4214010——471
Aston Villa 2019–20[62] Premier League 2510061——312
2020–21[63] Premier League 3620010——372
2021–22[64] Premier League 2921010——312
2022–23[65] Premier League 3800010——390
2023–24[66] Premier League 351201012[c]0—501
2024–25[67] Premier League 342500011[d]1—503
2025–26[68] Premier League 340101012[e]2—482
Total 231890111353—28612
Arsenal 2026–27[69] Premier League 00000000—00
Career total 34491801513537041913
  1. ↑ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ↑ Two appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs
  3. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  4. ↑ Appearance in UEFA Champions League
  5. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 18 July 2026[70]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 202490
202581
2026111
Total282
As of match played 18 July 2026
England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Konsa goal[70]
List of international goals scored by Ezri Konsa
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
19 September 2025Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia14 Serbia3–05–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification[71]
218 July 2026Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, United States28 France2–06–42026 FIFA World Cup[72]

Honours

Aston Villa

England U20

England U21

England

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 "Ezri Konsa: Overview". Premier League. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "Ezri Konsa: Profile". worldfootball.net. Heimspiel Medien. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  4. ↑ Willacy, Gavin (31 July 2019). "Charlton's academy keeps producing young players who make the grade". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Cawley, Richard (23 February 2018). "South London Press exclusive interview with Ezri Konsa – on January transfer window speculation, game time at Charlton Athletic and promotion hopes". South London News. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  6. ↑ "Academies join forces". Charlton Athletic F.C. 5 September 2012. Archived from the original on 16 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  7. ↑ "Charlton Athletic FC Academy Player Profiles". Archived from the original on 24 November 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "Academy trio sign new long-term contracts with Charlton Athletic". Charlton Athletic F.C. 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 16 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Ezri Konsa – Aston Villa Defender". ESPN. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Football Club History Database – Charlton Athletic". www.fchd.info. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Player Profile". Charlton Athletic F.C. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  13. 1 2 "PLAYER OF THE YEAR : 2016/17 a great learning curve for award-winning Ezri Konsa". Charlton Athletic F.C. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  14. ↑ "NEWS | Academy graduate Ezri Konsa signs new, three-year contract". Charlton Athletic F.C. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  15. 1 2 "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Ezri Konsa signs for Brentford". Brentford F.C. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  17. ↑ Storer, Tom (20 August 2018). "Brentford talking points: Konsa's quality, Mepham the leader". FootballLondon. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  18. 1 2 "Ezri gets number 15 shirt for championships". Brentford F.C. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  19. ↑ "Transfer News: Welcome Ezri Konsa". Aston Villa F.C. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  20. ↑ "Carabao Cup: Crewe 1–6 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  21. ↑ "Aston Villa haul themselves out of bottom three with late win over Watford". The Guardian. 21 January 2020. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  22. ↑ Johnston, Neil (16 July 2020). "Everton 1–1 Aston Villa: Late Theo Walcott equaliser denies Villa crucial win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  23. ↑ "Aston Villa is pleased to announce that Ezri Konsa has signed a contract extension until 2026". Aston Villa F.C. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  24. ↑ "Ezri Konsa: Aston Villa defender signs new deal until 2026". BBC Sport. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  25. ↑ "Aston Villa 2–1 Leicester City: Steven Gerrard secures win against his former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers". Sky Sports. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  26. ↑ "The Presser: Gerrard quizzed ahead of Burnley". Aston Villa F. C. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  27. ↑ "Ezri Konsa ruled out for up to 16 weeks". Aston Villa F. C. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  28. ↑ "Bournemouth v Aston Villa, 2022/23". Premier League. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  29. ↑ "Ezri Konsa pens new long-term Aston Villa contract". Aston Villa F. C. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  30. ↑ McNulty, Phil (15 April 2025). "Aston Villa 3–2 PSG". BBC Sport.
  31. ↑ Townley, John (6 November 2025). "Unai Emery confirms big Emi Martinez decision after important Villa conversation". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  32. ↑ "Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa: Villans cruise past German side to win first European trophy since 1982". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  33. ↑ Media, Arsenal. "Ezri Konsa signs for Arsenal". Arsenal FC.
  34. ↑ Bassam, Tom; Unwin, Will; Bassam (now), Tom; Unwin (earlier), Will (21 August 2026). "Arsenal complete £51m Konsa deal; Paredes gets 10-match ban for part in World Cup brawl: football – live" – via www.theguardian.com.
  35. ↑ "Academy Manager takes pride in Konsa and Lookman's World Cup triumph". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "E. Konsa: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  37. ↑ "Ezri Konsa stars on England U21s debut". harlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  38. ↑ Walker, Andy (13 November 2023). "England men's squad updates: Lewis, Palmer and Konsa called up". The Football Association. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  39. ↑ McNulty, Phil (23 March 2024). "England 0–1 Brazil". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  40. ↑ "Eze & Wharton named in England squad for Euro 2024". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  41. ↑ "England 2–1 Slovakia: Match Info". UEFA. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  42. ↑ Draper, Rob (6 July 2024). "England 1–1 Switzerland (5–3 pens): Euro 2024 quarter-final player ratings". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  43. ↑ "England 2-1 Netherlands: Ollie Watkins scores late as England reach Euro 2024 final against Spain". BBC Sport. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Serbia vs. England – FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier". FIFA. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  45. ↑ "Toney and Watkins named in England squad". 22 May 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  46. ↑ "England 4-2 Croatia: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford score in Three Lions win". BBC Sport. 17 June 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  47. ↑ "England 0-0 Ghana: Three Lions held to goalless draw". BBC Sport. 23 June 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  48. ↑ "England 2-0 Panama: Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane score as Three Lions top group". BBC Sport. 27 June 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  49. ↑ "England 3-2 Mexico: Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane send 10-man Three Lions to quarter-finals". BBC Sport. 6 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  50. ↑ "Norway 1-2 England: Jude Bellingham scores twice as Three Lions reach World Cup semi-final". BBC Sport. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  51. ↑ "England take World Cup third place with 6-4 win against France". Reuters. 18 July 2026. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  52. ↑ Tanswell, Jacob (25 August 2025). "How playing two left-footed centre-backs sums up Aston Villa's problems". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  53. ↑ Fish, Hal (31 March 2024). "The 12 best centre-backs who also play at full-back right now have been ranked". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  54. 1 2 Tanswell, Jacob (8 June 2024). "Ezri Konsa's England inclusion may shock outsiders – but his versatility is invaluable". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  55. ↑ Creamer, Matthew (15 November 2020). "Ezri Konsa is Developing Into a Quality Premier League Centre-Back". Last Word on Football. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  56. 1 2 "The Great Wall of Villa Park: Ezri Konsa - Breaking The Lines". 26 January 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  57. 1 2 Evans, Gregg; Carey, Mark (18 March 2021). "Analysed: Why the improved, unflustered Ezri Konsa deserved an England call-up". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  58. ↑ "Liverpool now chasing for 'one of the 'world's best CBs'". The Football Group. 7 November 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  59. ↑ Wilkinson, Matthew (15 October 2025). "Chelsea should look to sign Liverpool target who shone for England, and it's not Marc Guehi". TBR Football. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  60. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  61. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  62. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  63. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  66. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  68. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Ezri Konsa in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  70. 1 2 "Ezri Konsa: Internationals". worldfootball.net. Heimspiel Medien. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  71. ↑ "Serbia 0–5 England: Match: Summary". Soccerway. Sportsight. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  72. ↑ "France 4–6 England: Match: Summary". Soccerway. Sportsight. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  73. ↑ "Europa League final: Aston Villa end 44-year wait for European trophy". BBC Sport. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  74. ↑ McNulty, Phil (1 March 2020). "Aston Villa 1–2 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  75. ↑ "Academy Manager takes pride in Konsa and Lookman's World Cup triumph". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  76. ↑ "Final fightback takes England U21S to Toulon hat-trick with win over Mexico". The Football Association. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  77. ↑ McNulty, Phil (14 July 2024). "Spain 2–1 England: Heartbreak for England in Euro 2024 Final". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  78. ↑ "France 4–6 England: Line-ups". BBC Sport. 18 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
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