Ezri Konsa has dismissed the need for crisis meetings despite his side’s poor start to the season.

The Villa defender said boss Unai Emery’s comments about ‘lazy’ defending after Sunday’s draw with Sunderland were “fair” because “we know it’s not good enough.”

“We pride ourselves on playing a high line – it’s something that the boss has tried to install since he came in,” Konsa continued. “We didn’t quite get it right.

“Things haven’t been good so far for us this season, but there are blips in a season and we’re going through that now. Hopefully we can move on from that.”

Villa are in the relegation zone after failing to win any of their opening five Premier League games, drawing three and losing two.

On talks of ‘crisis meetings’ Konsa said: “I don’t think we are at the stage to have meetings. Some say ‘crisis meetings’, but we have a great captain in John McGinn who really takes the lead in stuff like that.

“After the game, he said some words to keep us going and encourage us. We haven’t started the season well – we know that – but I’m sure it’ll go well soon.”