Ezri Konsa has been named in England’s starting XI for tonight’s World Cup opener against Croatia, giving Aston Villa supporters an immediate tournament focus.
The Villa defender starts in Thomas Tuchel’s defence alongside John Stones, Reece James and Nico O’Reilly, with England opening their Group L campaign at Dallas Stadium.
Reuters confirmed Konsa in the England XI, while Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are both among the substitutes. Jude Bellingham starts in the No.10 role, with Harry Kane leading the attack.
That makes this more than another pre-match selection debate for Villa. After days of discussion around the club’s England trio, one of them has been trusted from the first whistle.
Konsa Gets The Call Villa Fans Wanted
Konsa’s place matters because this was never a token squad story.
He has had to force his way into an England centre-back conversation involving Stones and Marc Guehi, and Tuchel’s decision gives him a serious World Cup platform.
ReadAstonVilla previously covered how Konsa looked set to start against Croatia while Rogers and Watkins faced a wait. That wait has now become a confirmed call.
Rogers and Watkins can still shape the night from the bench, but Konsa has the first Villa moment.
Now the task is clear: defend cleanly, handle Croatia’s experience and show the wider country what Villa Park already knows.
