In a recent interview (via Birmingham Mail), Aston Villa boss Dean Smith revealed that Matty Cash sustained a hamstring injury versus Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday night. When asked about Cash’s condition, the Villans manager said,
“He’s (Cash) got a hamstring injury, we think. He was doing a Cruyff-turn on the touchline and got tackled at the same time and just felt his hamstring. It can happen, certainly in these conditions with the cold weather as well. It’s too early to assess how bad.”
Cash’s Excellent Form At Villa Park This Season
It has been a campaign full of positives for the 23-year-old as he has produced a series of impressive displays on the right side of Dean Smith’s defence. Cash has participated in 21 matches for the West Midlands club this term, picking up two assists and five yellow cards on all fronts.
The Slough-born sensation has done well to average 2.6 tackles, 2.3 interceptions, 3.1 clearances and 0.8 key passes per game in the Premier League. He has even taken care of the ball relatively well after making 77.6% of his attempted passes in top-flight football this season (stats via whoscored).
What Does The English Right-Back Bring To The Table?
Cash is quick and agile enough to make some encouraging runs down the right flank. He is one of the hardest-working players in Smith’s squad and can be a reliable defender at the back when he is playing with confidence on the pitch.
The English full-back is often quick to scan the danger and has got the tenacity to earn the ball back for his side. He is decent at tackling the opponent when left isolated in a 1v1 situation and is not hesitant to clear his lines when needed. At 23, he is far from the finished product, but the recent signs have been quite promising from him, so Smith can expect to get the best out of him in the coming seasons when Cash enters the peak stage of his playing career.
Cash Sustains A Hamstring Injury: Big Blow For Smith?
Losing Cash to a hamstring injury will be a massive blow for the Villans and their hopes of securing European football this season. With some tricky fixtures coming up against Leicester City, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, Aston Villa cannot afford to drop too many points over the next few weeks.
Ahmed Elmohamady can be inconsistent with his performances at right-back as he is way past his prime. Therefore, not having Cash available for those games will make it a real challenge for Smith to come with a solution. Only time will tell whether the Villans have a strong enough squad to cope with his injury absence and maintain their push for European football this season.
