Aston Villa narrowly widened the distance between them and Tottenham in the battle for a top-four spot, securing a 1-1 draw against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Aston Villa settled for a draw at the London Stadium, with goals from Michail Antonio and Nicolo Zaniolo ensuring the points were shared. The match underscored the fatigue inherent in a Thursday and Sunday playing schedule, with both teams having participated in European competitions earlier in the week, resulting in some sluggish play on Sunday.
Despite enjoying 70% possession, Villa found themselves behind as Antonio opened the scoring in the 29th minute. However, they managed to equalize through Zaniolo with ten minutes remaining, and the game reached a crescendo in the final moments when Tomas Soucek’s apparent winner was overturned by VAR.
While the match provided excitement, it was a disappointing outing for Unai Emery’s team, with certain players standing out more than others in terms of individual performance. Ezri Konsa particularly impressed as one of Villa’s standout defenders against West Ham.
Konsa, who had previously missed a significant portion of the previous month due to injury, showcased his defensive prowess against West Ham. Despite some initial unease at right-back in the first half, Konsa remained composed throughout the game, boasting impressive statistics. According to Sofascore, he won 100% of his ground and aerial duels, made 89 touches, four clearances, and boasted a remarkable 97% pass completion rate.
However, Konsa faced criticism for his performance in the first half, with journalist Jacob Tanswell noting his discomfort. Emery responded by introducing Matty Cash at right-back after halftime and shifting Konsa to central defense, a tactical adjustment that seemed to optimize Villa’s defensive setup.
As Cash flourished on the flank, Konsa excelled in the heart of defense alongside Pau Torres, providing Emery with valuable insights into the team’s optimal configuration. While it remains to be seen whether Emery will revert Konsa to his preferred position, Sunday’s match highlighted where the 26-year-old is most effective.