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Aston Villa 1mo ago
'He will': Gary Lineker & Alan Shearer in agreement over England debate involving Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa
Source: Aston Villa

Ezri Konsa stepped up to fill the void left by Marc Guehi's suspension in England's Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland on Saturday.

Aston Villa have two representatives in Gareth Southgate's England squad this summer, but both John McGinn and Youri Tielemans saw their Euro 2024 campaigns end early.

Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins have had differing fortunes in the tournament so far.

Watkins was the first of the pair to feature as he came off the bench in the second group game against Denmark but the striker has not featured since.

Instead, it has become clear as the tournament has gone on that Ivan Toney has overtaken Watkins in the pecking order, with the Brentford striker coming off the bench in the two knockout games.

Konsa made his first appearance of the tournament in the second-half of extra-time against Slovakia in the round of 16 before impressing from the start against Switzerland in Marc Guehi's absence through suspension.

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The Crystal Palace centre-back was chosen as the man to partner John Stones in central defence following Harry Maguire's omission from the squad and had looked at home in an England shirt.

However, after picking up his second booking of the tournament against Slovakia, Guehi missed the quarter-final penalty shootout win over Switzerland through suspension.

Konsa slotted seamlessly into the side and was solid at the back. With Guehi available again, this has caused a real dilemma ahead of the semi-final against Netherlands on Wednesday night.

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards debated which of Konsa or Guehi should start on their The Rest is Football podcast, where Lineker and Shearer were clear on their view.

Speaking on the matter, Lineker commented: "I think I would bring Guehi back for Konsa. Would you now?"

To which Shearer replied: "I would. I think he will. I think he is loyal, Gareth."

Micah Richards interjected, making a case for Konsa by saying: "But Konsa did so well."

However, Shearer countered this by saying: "So did Guehi in the four games. Him and Saka have been great. Saka was great. I think he will bring Guehi in."

To which Lineker agreed: "Guehi's place is really important, I think as well. And he is more natural on that side."

Guehi has been very good in the tournament so far and his suspension only came due to a sloppy pass from Kieran Trippier leaving the Palace man short before he had no choice but to bring down a Slovakia attacker.

As Lineker suggests, Guehi is also more comfortable playing as a left centre-back and is better on his left foot than Konsa.

However, Konsa did all he could to show he is deserving of keeping his place so it would be a real shame for the 26-year-old to drop out of the side for the semi-final.