Ezri Konsa urges Aston Villa to tie Ollie Watkins down to fresh deal as the pair eye England call-ups after stellar starts to new campaign
- Aston Villa have been in talks with Ollie Watkins over a new deal since last spring
- Ezri Konsa and Watkins are in contention for England call-ups in October
- Click HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
Ezri Konsa has called on Aston Villa to seal a new contract with team-mate Ollie Watkins as the pair eye an England call-up on Thursday.
Watkins has scored four goals in his last two Premier League games and has been discussing a new deal since last spring. His current arrangement runs out at the end of next season and Villa will be keen to tie the 27-year-old down before he heads into the final 12 months of his deal.
‘For the club it’s really important,’ said Konsa. ‘He scores us goals and wins us games. To have him extend his contract would be really important for us.
‘I’ve known him for quite some time. We played together at Brentford, so I knew how good he was and when we signed him three years ago I was delighted. Hopefully he can continue this form.’
Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins are both in consideration for Gareth Southgate’s squad for October internationals
Watkins has scored 7 goals in 11 games so far this season, his best start in a Villa shirt
Both players have been in strong form and will be hoping Gareth Southgate’s presence at Villa Park last Saturday will work in their favour.
Southgate was in the stands to watch one of his former clubs take on Brighton, when Watkins scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win.
Before they can think of international duty, though, Konsa and Watkins must help Villa get their Europa Conference League campaign back on track against Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday. Villa lost their opening group game, at Legia Warsaw last month.
Konsa added: ‘Playing Thursday and again on Sunday is difficult. We are not used to it. I last did it when I was playing in the Championship and it is about getting the recovery right. Some of us haven’t done this before but we have good squad depth and the manager will make changes if he needs to.’
Aston Villa have got off to a strong start in the Premier League, the Claret and Blues find themselves in fifth place at the time of writing
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