Ezri Konsa has been a regular for England and Aston Villa this season and has scored his first goal for his country – and he believes set-pieces will be key at the World Cup
(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Ezri Konsa has revealed that England is prepared to follow Arsenal’s lead in becoming masters of set-pieces.
Mikel Arteta, the Gunners’ manager, has transformed Arsenal into the Premier League’s most feared team when it comes to scoring from free kicks, corners, and even long throws.
Konsa, who already practices set-pieces with Aston Villa’s specialist coach Austin MacPhee and scored his first goal for England during a 5-0 victory over Serbia in September, believes this strategy will become a significant part of international soccer. He also thinks England can leverage this at the World Cup next year. Konsa stated: “This season you’ve seen a lot more long throw-ins, Brentford being one team that do it really well and it is difficult to defend. I think now there’s a lot more physicality and you do have to be strong, you do have to have physicality in the team because if not you are going to struggle.
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England seek to become masters of set-pieces
“Look the Premier League’s changing everything year, it’s getting harder and harder and this season, I think you’re seeing teams scoring more from set-pieces and the focus is more on in and around set-pieces when you are defending.
“For me as a defender I think it’s important that you do have that physicality when you comes to set-pieces and you make sure the boys around you are ready for what’s to come because you know nowadays, especially with the throw-ins and the corners.”, reports the Mirror.
Ezri Konsa opened up on England’s set piece approach(Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images)
“You look at Arsenal and see how many goals they have scored and how many points they’ve won from it. It does play a big part and it’s a big part in the game.”
Konsa reveals that set piece training at Villa has become a massive element of his playing style, with his strike in Serbia stemming directly from those practice sessions at his club. He explains it’s tougher to squeeze in as many drills with England due to their limited time together.
He said: “That set piece in Serbia, obviously we did it for England. But in my head, because I’d been with Austin for so many seasons now, it’s something he’s instilled into my head. When you’re in the opposition box, to think like a striker, as a centre-half. We get loads of set-pieces.
“When I do get the opportunity to go out there, I do have to think like a striker. For me, since Austin has come in, it’s something he’s instilled into my head. It’s going to stay there for a long time. Our set piece coach at Aston Villa always says when we’re attacking corners and free-kicks to think like a striker. In that situation, I wanted to think like a striker. Just run into the box.
A number of Premier League players have already represented England in the World Cup Qualifiers(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
“Hopefully there was a rebound. It just fell to me and I smashed it in with my left foot. I don’t even think I needed to smash it in! When you come with England, you haven’t really got much time to train because sometimes you come off the back end of two days before. The games are coming quick in succession. We try and work on it as much as we can. But it’s a big point here, definitely.”
The 28 year old defender has emerged as a cornerstone in Thomas Tuchel’s England setup and ranks among the manager’s most reliable assets, particularly given his versatility across the entire back line.
Konsa motivated by Tuchel’s faith
However, this flexibility shouldn’t overshadow Konsa’s core strengths – his speed, composure and tactical awareness are what’s driving his push for a starting spot this summer. The Villa star acknowledges that experiencing such faith from his boss provides tremendous motivation.
He continued: “As a player, to have a manager that shows trust and believes in you is always a special feeling and gives you so much confidence coming here going into games. I do owe him a lot for playing me in all those games.
“It was a dream since I was a kid to represent my country and to have played as many games under him as I have is a special feeling so I can only thank him for what he has done. He is a great manager and I am just happy to be working under him.”
