Aston Villa Unai Emery ‘not covinced’ by Matty Cash and Lucas Digne, summer reinforcements planned – report
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is “not thought to be convinced” by full-back duo Matty Cash and Lucas Digne, with reinforcements planned this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
Digne joined from Everton for £25 million in 2021 and has played 33 games for the Villans. Cash signed from Nottingham Forest back in 2020 and has been a trusted regular under former managers Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.
With Emery adding Alex Moreno [AVFC, 11 January] to his ranks this month, it could well push Digne down the pecking order whilst Cash signed a five-year-deal last April which was approved by Gerrard for his good form.
And their immediate futures are in serious jeopardy if the latest reports are to be believed.
According to the Daily Mail, Emery is not convinced by both full-backs which is why he brought in Alex Moreno and further reinforcements at right-back may be looked at this summer, with Ashley Young in the twilight of his career.
Surprising
This news is hugely surprising given Digne and Cash have rarely let Villa down when called upon. Both are very capable stalwarts in the club camp, incredibly experienced and very effective on both flanks.
So, it may well prove a mistake to sell them both.
Over the last two campaigns, Cash has impressively registered four goals and five assists from full-back whilst Digne has weighed in with one goal and 11 assists for both Villa and Everton in the Premier League, highlighting both of their attacking qualities in the final third.
Maybe Emery doesn’t value them defensively which is understandable, but the mark of a good coach is one who gets the best out of the players at his disposal.
Digne and Cash still have so much to offer if Emery can provide them with the belief and confidence their talents require.