Aston Villa star fires Marcus Rashford warning after Champions League statement
Ezri Konsa believes the quality in Aston Villa’s ranks is as strong as ever despite the challenges which the club faces with financial rules.
Unai Emery was forced to let go of two stars from last season’s impressive season in Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby, before Jhon Duran was let go in January.
But Villa strengthened with the additions of three attackers, Donyell Malen, Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, while right-back Andres Garcia and centre-back Axel Disasi also signed on.
Rashford, Asensio and Disasi, who all joined on loan, have impressed in their first few appearances under Emery.
The attacking duo combined to devastating effect on Saturday, with Rashford assisting both of Asensio’s goals as Villa came from a goal behind to beat Champions League rivals Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park.
Villa are only two points off the top five with 11 league games remaining this campaign, and centre-back Konsa has warned rival Champions League challengers that the club’s exciting additions have given them fresh hope of securing qualification for UEFA’s elite competition in successive seasons.
“The quality we have is the best since I’ve been here,” said Konsa. “It just shows how far we have come as a club. That we are able to bring in the type of players we have.
“Both in the starting XI and on the bench, it’s strong. It’s something we have been missing throughout the season. You could see that with the substitutions we made. Marcus Rashford coming on and providing the two assists.
“And Marco Asensio – if you know football, you know the qualities he brings. You know he has a lot of trophies under his belt. Three Champions League medals.
“He’s got them for a reason. I’m just glad he’s here. Long may it continue. It’s a massive boost for us to have top-quality players – on the pitch – and on the bench.”
Villa will only play one league game in March at Brentford after facing Crystal Palace away on Tuesday night.
Leave a Reply