Aston Villa’s summer of upheaval has taken another twist, with Tosin Adarabioyo emerging as one of the names on Unai Emery’s shortlist to fill the gap left by Ezri Konsa. The impending departure of Konsa to Arsenal, with the two clubs having reached agreement worth around £51million, [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/13574724/ezri-konsa-transfer-news-arsenal-agree-deal-with-aston-villa-to-sign-england-defender) [TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/aston-villa/villans-interest-chelsea-man-tosin-adarabioyo-ezri-konsa-replacement) has left Villa needing fresh legs at centre-back, and the Chelsea man’s situation makes him an intriguing option worth watching.
Villa have identified Tosin as a potential like-for-like replacement for Konsa, [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/aston-villa-want-chelsea-defender-153000120.html) and it is easy to see why. At 6ft 5in and with over a hundred Premier League appearances to his name, he offers the physical profile and experience Emery values in his backline, along with the comfort on the ball that fits how Villa like to build from the back. Chelsea, for their part, appear increasingly open to letting him leave, having reportedly cooled on his involvement under Xabi Alonso after he dropped out of the squad for a recent friendly.
Villa, though, will not have it all their own way. Marseille, Benfica and Sevilla have also registered interest in the defender, [TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/aston-villa/villans-interest-chelsea-man-tosin-adarabioyo-ezri-konsa-replacement) setting up a genuine scramble for his signature. That said, staying in England could hold real appeal for Tosin, especially with Villa competing in the Champions League this season, a stage few clubs outside the traditional elite can offer.
Nothing is close to being finalised, and Villa may still explore other centre-back options before committing to a move. But losing Konsa to a direct Premier League rival stings, and finding a ready-made replacement quickly has become one of Emery’s most urgent tasks before the window shuts. If Villa can win the race for Tosin, it would go a long way toward softening the blow of watching a key defender walk straight into Arsenal’s title defence. Villa Park will be watching this one closely over the coming days, hoping the next name confirmed through the door wears claret and blue rather than heading elsewhere entirely.