What is the difference between validator client and consensus client?

In Ethereum's proof-of-stake system, a consensus client implements the proof-of-stake consensus algorithm, enabling network agreement based on validated data. A validator client, run by validators who have staked 32 ETH, is responsible for validating new blocks, re-executing transactions, and sending attestations. The main difference lies in their roles: the consensus client manages consensus, while the validator client actively participates in block validation.