Ezri Konsa

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 Aston Villa 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.

Ezri Ngoyo Konsa was born on 23 October 1997 in Newham, Greater London, to a DR Congolese father and an Angolan mother. He attended Cumberland Sports College and is a boyhood Tottenham Hotspur F.C. supporter.

Konsa began his career with Senrab and joined Charlton Athletic at the age of 11. He began a scholarship in July 2014 and progressed sufficiently to sign a "long term" professional contract on 11 December 2015. 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. Konsa was an unused substitute on one further occasion during the 2015–16 season, which culminated in Charlton's relegation to League One.

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. He was a regular throughout the 2016–17 season and finished the campaign with 39 appearances. He also showed his versatility by deputising in midfield and at full-back. For his efforts, Konsa was named the club's Young Player of the Year. He signed a new three-year contract in March 2017 and was again a regular during the 2017–18 season, making 47 appearances as Charlton reached the League One play-off semi-finals.

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, reported to be £2.5 million. 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.

On 11 July 2019, 21-year-old Konsa signed for newly promoted Premier League club Aston Villa, for an undisclosed fee. 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. On 21 January 2020, Konsa assisted Tyrone Mings to set up the winning goal in a 2–1 victory against Watford. He scored his first Premier League goal on 16 July 2020, in a 1–1 away draw at Everton.

On 2 April 2021, Konsa signed a contract extension with Aston Villa until 2026. 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.