Ezri Konsa has enjoyed a stunning season with Aston Villa and the England defender had the chance to rub shoulders with Prince William after claiming Europa League glory
Ezri Konsa arrives at the World Cup having claimed Europa League glory with Aston Villa
Ezri Konsa joked Prince William will give him a knighthood if England win the World Cup.
Konsa revealed he is on texting terms with royalty after Prince William went to Istanbul to support his beloved Aston Villa and saw them win the Europa League.
Prince William calls Konsa a “Rolls Royce” and is on first name terms with the players who celebrated with royalty after their European glory. When asked whether Prince William would give him a knighthood, Konsa laughed: “I hope so. That’s the plan after the World Cup!
“Sometimes it’s difficult because sometimes he would come into the dressing room just before we go out, and as players, you’re in the moment. Obviously, you say ‘Hi,’ and be respectful but sometimes you don’t realise how big of a person he is coming in. Some foreign players in our team don’t really understand.
“For me, personally, it takes me a moment, maybe after the game or the next day and I’m like, wow, I’ve actually met him, shook his hand, he knows my name, calls me a Rolls Royce as well.
“For the club it’s special. Supporting Aston Villa, it’s not easy, but he’s managed to do that for a long time, he’s stuck by our side, supported us a lot, been to a lot of games, and to be able to celebrate that moment in Europa League final with him was special.”
Konsa says winning thee Europa League can be good for England because it will give them a taste of for more success. He added: “Of course, I think it can help. You come here bringing a winning mentality. For me personally, it was my first trophy, so this made me hungry for more.
“There are a lot of players in the team that have won many trophies that want to continue doing the same thing. As a nation we’ve been to finals, but we want to go that extra step and get it over the line and to have a lot winners in the team. I think that’s really important.”
Prince William enjoyed the celebrations as Aston Villa won the Europa League(Image: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Konsa also says the training this week – despite the weather – has been good as it has been set to music while he says the climate will not be an issue.
But Konsa says none of the players chose Luther Vandross which was pumping out through the speakers. He added: “Definitely not me! One of the physios loves music and he gave everyone a choice for a song to put on the playlist and each match day and each training day he comes out with the speaker and puts it on.”
“Most of us as players come to America or a hot country for pre-season or a holiday. It is something I feel we are used to. We have two friendlies to build fitness and get the legs going again. Come the first game I’m sure we will be fine.”
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