Cash must be axed at half-time - Aston Villa could be reduced to nine men if not
Unai Emery has to axe Matty Cash at half-time if Aston Villa are to get a result against Newcastle United with the Villans already down to 10 men.
Newcastle took an early lead through Anthony Gordon after a midfield howler from Boubacar Kamara gifted the hosts possession who has usually been a consistent performer for Villa.
Things went from bad to worse for the Villans when Jhon Duran was sent off for violent conduct and Emery simply can not afford to see his side reduced to nine men which is a possibility if Cash remains on the pitch.
Questions were raised about whether he should have started the game given his performance against Manchester City but his inclusion may be short-lived after how little has offered and now taking into consideration the circumstances of the encounter.
With Cash up against Gordon, his now inability to make a challenge in fear of being sent off could be hugely detrimental and his hooking at halftime is needed.
Matty Cash needs to be axed at halftime for Aston Villa
Villa are struggling to make their presence count against the Magpies and Cash is severely restricting their ability to do so.
Having picked up an early yellow card for a foul against Gordon, he is walking a tightrope and it isn't a risk worth taking given his lack of impact in the game and Duran's dismissal that has already left Villa fighting an uphill battle.
Although Kosta Nedeljkovic has seen limited minutes, his introduction may be needed if Emery's side are to get anything out of this game.
According to FotMob, Cash has registered a 0 per cent cross accuracy in the first half despite four attempts while having completed just four passes.
Cash actually found himself with a decent opportunity to level the game but his shot was off target by some margin and the chance went begging.
His 0 per cent win rate in defensive duels is causing more and more pressure to be placed on the Villa defence with a second goal seeming almost inevitable, two of which have been on the ground with the other in the air.
With two fouls committed, one more would certainly see Cash dismissed and unless Emery wants to see his side reduced to nine men, he needs to be withdrawn.
In other Aston Villa news, supporters have been defended after what happened to Jack Grealish.