Aston Villa: Matty Cash delivers yet another masterclass v Chelsea, regular starts on cards again at Villa Park
Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash sent manager Unai Emery a strong message over his spot at Villa Park after another tremendous all-round display against Chelsea.
The Midlands club played out a goalless stalemate with the West Londoners at Stamford Bridge on Friday (26 January) to set up a needless replay encounter at Villa Park.
Both teams were guilty of missing clear-cut chances at Stamford Bridge and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz thought he had opened the scoring in the 12th minute, tapping into an open net after Moussa Diaby’s shot deflected into his path.
But the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled the goal out after adjudging the Villa midfielder had controlled the ball with his hand.
Chelsea had several opportunities to take the lead but were frustrated by a combination of some sensational last-ditched saves from Emiliano Martinez and poor finishing.
The result and expected replay of the fourth-round tie, manager Emery will feel is needless right now given the number of fixtures the Villans will face next month but the Spaniard will be delighted at another impressive individual display of Cash who’s been resigned to bench appearances over the past couple months.
Cash has been ushered out of the team with Emery preferring Ezri Konsa at right back with Diego Carlos featuring at centre-back.
However, the Pole has sent stark reminders to Emery that he’s still here at Villa Park, ready to fight whoever for a first-team spot starting off with a tremendous masterclass against Middlesbrough in the third round.
He was handed a SofaScore rating of 8.8, which was by far the highest of any player on the pitch, having come out on top in seven out of his 12 duels throughout the game.
Cash made five tackles, two clearances and two interceptions, while he also blocked one shot as he nullified the threat posed by his marker on the evening.
After recording 87 touches, the right-back was successful with 54 out of his 60 attempted passes for an impressive completion rate of 90 per cent.
Alongside his two key passes, he found a teammate with 50 per cent of his crosses and hit the target with 50 per cent of his goal attempts, having scored the winner for his side.
Cash also impressed in his cameo role against Everton in the 0-0 draw on 14 January, completing 86% of his passes, two of which were key, with that latter figure a joint-match high [Sofascore].
The 26-year-old created one big chance against the Toffees, with his efforts sending a timely reminder to his manager that he is a real threat going forward.
The former Nottingham Forest man was at it again with yet another masterclass at Stamford Bridge. Cash successfully completed 79 per cent of his passes, registered five clearances, won 50 per cent of his ground duels, and recorded two key passes.
The Polish international also successfully completed 100 per cent of his long balls and 100 per cent of his crosses whilst also losing the ball just eight times before being substituted in the 82nd minute.
Villa have seen their goals dry up without the Pole’s ingenuity in the team and he created a few clear-cut chances for the Villans against Chelsea whilst also nearly bagging his second successive FA Cup strike if not for a tremendous save from Dorde Petrovic in the Blues goal in the second half.
If these improved displays from Cash do not reward him with regular starts in the coming weeks, Villa fans won’t know what will.
In other Aston Villa news, one 96% Villa Park ace is set for increased responsibility after recent comments from Emery.
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