​In the cutthroat world of the Premier League, where star power and global media narratives often dictate the “best of” lists, some players seem destined to remain in the shadows, no matter how high their level of performance. According to Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins, one of his closest teammates—defender Ezri Konsa—is the ultimate victim of this bias.

​Speaking from the England training camp at the 2026 World Cup, Watkins didn’t mince words when describing how his teammate is treated by the media and pundits. In a candid interview, the Villa star labeled the lack of recognition for Konsa as “mad,” arguing that the defender is consistently performing at an elite level while barely registering on the radar of the mainstream football conversation.

​The “Villa Tax”: Why Konsa Doesn’t Get the Credit

​For years, Konsa has been the bedrock of the Aston Villa defense, a quiet, unflappable presence who has helped guide the club through a massive period of growth. Yet, as Watkins points out, recognition often follows the biggest, most historically successful clubs rather than the consistency of the individual performances.

​”I think Ez is just so underrated,” Watkins said. “It’s mad how under the radar he goes and for so many years he has. I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, but people don’t look at that straight away. I don’t know if it’s the profile around Villa and stuff like that. People always look at the top teams.”

​It is a common frustration for Villa fans. While defenders from the traditional “Big Six” are often heralded as world-class for their occasional highlight-reel plays, Konsa’s game is built on a foundation of reliability that rarely makes for viral clips, but is essential for any team with top-four aspirations.

​Elite-Level Defending: The “Vinicius Test”

​Watkins didn’t just offer an opinion; he provided the evidence to back it up. He highlighted Konsa’s rare ability to shut down the most dangerous attackers in world football, specifically pointing to a recent showcase against Brazil’s superstar, Vinicius Junior.

​”Defensively he hardly puts a foot wrong,” Watkins noted. “I think one-v-one he played there—I remember against Brazil—and Vinicius couldn’t get past Ez. He’s so solid.”

​That performance on the international stage wasn’t a fluke. It was a testament to Konsa’s high-level tactical intelligence, his physical recovery speed, and his composure under the most intense pressure imaginable. For a defender to go toe-to-toe with one of the most explosive wingers in the world and emerge virtually unscathed is a feat few can boast, yet the praise for Konsa remains curiously muted.

​A Pillar for Club and Country

​Currently on international duty with England under Thomas Tuchel, Konsa has been a vital part of the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign. While Watkins has been patient for his opportunities, featuring as a substitute against Panama, Konsa has been a permanent fixture in Tuchel’s backline, starting every match as England pushes toward their last-16 showdown against Mexico.

​For Aston Villa, Konsa’s emergence as a genuine world-class defender is a massive asset, but it also creates a recurring problem: the transfer rumor mill. As he continues to perform at this level, it will become increasingly difficult for Villa to keep their “underrated” star off the wishlists of Europe’s biggest clubs.

​The reality is that while the public might be slow to recognize his impact, those who play with him and against him know the truth. Ezri Konsa is, by every metric, one of the elite centre-backs in the modern game. If the rest of the world hasn’t caught on yet, it’s only a matter of time before they do. One thing is certain—Ollie Watkins is absolutely right to sound the alarm: Ezri Konsa is no longer just a “good defender.” He is a superstar in the making, and it’s time the footballing world started paying the respect he deserves.