Ezri Konsa sends message to Gareth Southgate and responds to Bukayo Saka comments

Ezri Konsa says he will "always be ready" for when Gareth Southgate turns to him as England go in search of winning a major tournament for the first time since 1966.

The Aston Villa centre-back came on as a substitute in extra-time of England's last-16 win over Slovakia last weekend and could make his fist start at Euro 2024 on Saturday.

The Three Lions take on Switzerland at the Dusseldorf Arena (5pm kick-off), and Southgate, a former Aston Villa defender himself, will pick between Konsa or Lewis Dunk to replace Marc Guehi, who is suspended for the crunch quarter-final game.

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"[We have] defended really well. If the boss puts me on I will always be ready," Konsa said. "I always dreamed of playing for England as a kid. It was a proud moment for me and my family.

"Wherever Southgate puts me, I am ready. Last season, I played at right-back which took some getting used to but I can play there and as a centre-half."

Konsa joined Villa from Brentford in the summer of 2019 and has made huge strides over the past five years, becoming one of the best centre-backs in the country.

He was signed by Dean Smith following Villa's promotion back to the Premier League and also worked alongside Chelsea legend John Terry.

"He was great for my career at the time," Konsa said of Terry, a former England captain "He helped me mentally and gave me advice on how to maintain a high level. It's something I’ll always be grateful for."

The 26-year-old has played a key role in Villa's progress under Emery, helping the club qualify for Europe in 2022/23, before securing Champions League football last season. Konsa will be relishing the tests to come after just breaking into

Last month, Arsenal's Bukayo Saka said: "Some sessions I do a 1v1 with Ezri because he is one of the best in the Premier League at defending 1v1s. It improves me and it improves him as well. I enjoy coming up against him."

Asked about his duels with Saka, Konsa said: "I love a one-on-one battle. I always back myself because I am comfortable and confident.

"Me and Bukayo Saka do them and sometimes I get the better of him and sometimes he gets the better of me."

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