Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has admitted that Unai Emery was justified in his damning assessment of the team’s performance during their 1-1 draw with Sunderland last weekend.
Emery was left furious after Villa failed to beat the Black Cats despite playing with a man advantage for over an hour, telling reporters: “We were lazy sometimes in defence. When we conceded, we were lazy.”
Matty Cash’s opener was cancelled out by Wilson Isidor 15 minutes from time, leaving Villa still chasing their first league win of the campaign.
Konsa agreed with his manager’s criticism: “Yeah, it’s a fair comment. I think everyone has seen the picture, seen the goal. Here we pride ourselves in trying to play a high line, it is something the boss has instilled since he first came.
“We didn’t quite get it right. Things have not been good for us so far this season. But there are blips in the season and we are going through that now. Hopefully we can move on.”
The centre-back also admitted that Emery’s blunt words have given the squad motivation: “When your manager doesn’t speak too well of you, it is not a good thing for you. It does bring a bit of fuel into you and you just want to play the next game as soon as possible, to prove everyone wrong.
“It starts from tomorrow.”
When asked whether the manager had called the squad lazy in private, Konsa responded: “No. The boss is not a big speaker. Sometimes he keeps himself to himself. As players, we have been in the game a long time and we know what we need to do.
“It is down to us at the end of the day. We are on the pitch, not the manager. We have to figure it out for ourselves as well.”
Emery demands higher standards
Speaking ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Bologna, Emery admitted he was still frustrated with what he saw at the Stadium of Light.
“I was frustrated and disappointed but when I analysed it I was getting the balance. I am demanding and always trying to understand how we can feel stronger. After the match I told the players we have to be more demanding.”
The disappointing draw leaves Villa 18th in the Premier League table, winless in five league fixtures, already eliminated from the Carabao Cup and with just one top-flight goal to their name this term.
No crisis – Insists Konsa
Despite the poor start, Konsa rejected suggestions of panic within the squad: “I don’t think we are at the stage where we need to have meetings. People will talk about crisis meetings and things like that but we have got a great captain in John McGinn, who really takes the lead in stuff like that. After the game, he said a few words to keep us going, to keep encouraging us.
“Look, we haven’t started the season well. We know that. But I’m sure it’s going to go well soon. It shows how far we have come over the last three years [that people have criticised Villa’s start to the season].”
