Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Fri 27 March 2026 8:10, UK

Aston Villa ace Matty Cash could yet be on the way to the World Cup with Poland.

The right-back has already featured at the showpiece tournament with his nation after featuring in the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The Red and Whites were knocked out in the round of 16 by France, but could now have another opportunity to reach the finals in America, Canada and Mexico.

A 2-1 win against Albania on Thursday means Jan Urban’s side will now face off against Sweden in a straight shootout for qualification.

Poland may have secured a massive win over Albania, but they didn’t get much help from Cash down the right-hand side on the night.

Aston Villa man Matty Cash poor for Poland vs Albania

The defender has come on leaps and bounds this season in B6 and has genuinely changed the perception surrounding him.

Many supporters had grown fed up with the 28-year-old after six years in claret and blue, but he is now one of the most important players under Unai Emery.

He has been a virtual ever-present this campaign, but wasn’t able to reflect that onto the international stage against Albania.

Cash featured as a right-wing back in a back five and didn’t truly thrive in any area, whether that be defending or attacking.

A 25 per cent duel win rate, joined by just two defensive actions, is hardly anything to write home about, especially while committing one foul.

That is all made worse by some shocking attacking stats, including a 0 per cent shot accuracy, no successful dribbles, just one accurate cross and one touch in the opposition box.

Cash may be integral for Aston Villa, but clearly wasn’t able to translate that with his country in such a massive game.

Polish media rightly slam Cash vs Albania

Sometimes the stats can paint a negative picture, but the eye test can provide a totally different verdict.

That certainly isn’t the case for the right-back, as the Polish media have been left pretty unimpressed by his antics against Albania.

Online outlet Goal afforded him a three out of 10 rating and suggested “little good came” of his attempted duels on the day.

That was echoed by TBP Sport, who ripped into Cash after giving him the same three out of 10.

Describing his performance, they said: “The disconnect between the Aston Villa player and Filip Rozga was evident. After Cash’s sloppy play in the 13th minute, Grabara had to step up. Moments later, he presented his opponents with another dangerous opportunity.

“He made an unusually high number of simple errors. This wasn’t Cash of the Premier League or the national team’s autumn matches. One of his weakest performances for the red and white.”

That won’t make for good reading at Villa Park, but the defender still has a chance to prove himself in the qualification final against Sweden on Tuesday.