diff --git a/esphome/components/ethernet/__init__.py b/esphome/components/ethernet/__init__.py
index 75b09dc8e4..1723280bc7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/ethernet/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/ethernet/__init__.py
@@ -145,13 +145,6 @@ def _validate(config):
             use_address = CORE.name + config[CONF_DOMAIN]
         config[CONF_USE_ADDRESS] = use_address
 
-    # Validate LAN8670 is only used with ESP32 classic or ESP32-P4
-    if config[CONF_TYPE] == "LAN8670":
-        variant = get_esp32_variant()
-        if variant not in (VARIANT_ESP32, VARIANT_ESP32P4):
-            raise cv.Invalid(
-                f"LAN8670 PHY is only supported on ESP32 classic and ESP32-P4, not {variant}"
-            )
     if config[CONF_TYPE] in SPI_ETHERNET_TYPES:
         if _is_framework_spi_polling_mode_supported():
             if CONF_POLLING_INTERVAL in config and CONF_INTERRUPT_PIN in config:
@@ -184,6 +177,12 @@ def _validate(config):
             del config[CONF_CLK_MODE]
         elif CONF_CLK not in config:
             raise cv.Invalid("'clk' is a required option for [ethernet].")
+        variant = get_esp32_variant()
+        if variant not in (VARIANT_ESP32, VARIANT_ESP32P4):
+            raise cv.Invalid(
+                f"{config[CONF_TYPE]} PHY requires RMII interface and is only supported "
+                f"on ESP32 classic and ESP32-P4, not {variant}"
+            )
 
     return config