Former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is delighted for Ezri Konsa over his first England call.

The defender was called up yesterday as a replacement for injured Brighton captain Lewis Dunk.

Smith told BBC Sport: "He's a top lad and a top player.

"I watch him now in Unai's team and the go-to players for that team are Martinez, Konsa, McGinn and Watkins through the spine of the team. Ezri's been the go-to player for the majority of it. He's so consistent, he's unruffled and he deserves his call-up.

"There are not many people I've signed twice. We signed Ezri [for Brentford] and I think we paid £2m for him from Charlton. His reading of the game is incredible; he understands the game really well. He's athletic, he's quick, he's good one v one."

"He's a quiet leader. The modern player is a quiet leader, but he has a real steel influence on the team. He doesn't have to say a lot, but when he does speak people listen to him.

"He's not one of the outgoing player, but he just believes in his ability and there is a lot to say for that. When someone is confident in their own ability, you can see players don't want to play against that. And his team-mates love him. He's a good person in the dressing room."