Unai Emery makes baffling Cash call as Aston Villa XI confirmed v Crystal Palace
Unai Emery has made four changes to his Aston Villa starting XI as they face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Included in those four changes is a surprise inclusion of Lamare Bogarde at right-back, and not because of Ezri Konsa’s injury, but because of Matty Cash’s appearance on the bench [Official X account].
The Poland international has had his fair share of injury concerns this season but if he is fit enough to make the bench at Villa Park on 23 November, he should be fit enough to start.
Alongside Bogarde, Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley and John McGinn come back into the side following the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break.
While Bogarde has proven to be quite the talented youngster, it is a surprise to see Emery risk the 20-year-old in what seems like a must-win game when someone far more experienced is available.
Unai Emery ignores Matty Cash as Aston Villa face Crystal Palace
Emery has a chance to get back to winning ways and end a torrid run of defeats, which actually began with a 2-1 defeat to Palace in the EFL Cup last month.
Villa have lost four consecutive matches under the Spaniard for the first time and those at Villa Park will be desperate not to extend that run against Oliver Glasner’s side.
While Cash has not featured since 3 November, he could be vital to a win on Saturday. As well as having an 89 per cent passing completion, close to Ezri Konsa’s level, he also has an 80 per cent dribble rate [FotMob].
Even in the disappointing 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, Cash won 100 per cent of his aerial duels (6/6) while winning two recoveries and completing 88 per cent of his passes [FotMob].
Bogarde, on the other hand, has not started since the EFL Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers in September, a game in which he was deployed as a centre-back.
While he did complete 95 per cent of his passes, albeit against lower-quality opposition, he won 0 per cent of his tackles and only won 43 per cent of his ground duels (4/7) [FotMob].
Villa fans will be hoping the gamble in defence works in their favour but it seems like quite the gamble against a Palace side desperate for another league victory.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery’s side want to sign Joshua Zirkzee as a Manchester United exit update emerges.
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