Aston Villa land England Under-21 international in £12m deal

Aston Villa have announced the arrival of Brentford defender Ezri Konsa on a long-term deal.

Konsa is the seventh permanent signing made by the newly promoted Premier League outfit this sumemr and second English defender this week.

Dean Smith’s side made Tyrone Mings transfer from Bournemouth permanent on Tuesday in a deal worth as much as £26m and the Villa manager has now raided his former club for Konsa.

The 21-year-old was linked with a loan move to Fulham but Villa have won the race for his signature after matching his £12m release clause.

“Ezri fits the profile of the type of player we were searching for,” Smith told the club’s official website.

“It helps that Richard O’Kelly and I have worked with him before. He’s a high-potential player who I believe can step up to the Premier League and I’m really looking forward to working with him again.”

Konsa’s arrival all but spells the end of Villa’s interest in Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe.

The United defender spent last season on loan at Villa and played an integral part in the club’s promotion from the Championship.

Smith was hopeful of landing Tuanzebe on loan or a permanent deal this summer but the 21-year-old will be given the chance to stake a claim for a first-team place at Old Trafford for next season.

Konsa, who was part of England’s squad for the U21 European Championships earlier this summer, started all but four league games for Brentford last season and accumulated more minutes playing time in the Championship than any other player at the club (3752).