Aston Villa defender Matty Cash has shared his opinions on Unai Emery, the squad and the club’s chances of securing Champions League football.
Aston Villa have had a difficult time of late as Unai Emery’s chances of claiming a top-four finish were handed a significant blow.
The Villans have seen three of their starting XI become the victim of ACL injuries, with Boubacar Kamara’s season-ending injury providing the latest wound to Emery’s squad.
The Frenchman’s injury came during Villa’s defeat to Manchester United which recorded the second loss in the space of a week for the Midlands side.
Luckily, the manager was able to get his side back on track with a win against Fulham last time out, seeing defender Matty Cash reassess the club’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
What Matty Cash said about Champions League hopes at Aston Villa
The right-back spoke to the media after Villa’s win at Craven Cottage, emphasising just how impressive the result was following a tough week on the injury front.
“Losing Bouba was obviously a massive blow, losing Diego was big, especially coming into this game which we knew was going to be tough, but we showed resilience, we’re strong.”
Without Kamara, Emery lost one-half of his vital pivot in midfield and without Diego Carlos, the Spaniard was left with only two centre-backs as Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Carlos are out of action.
Cash praised the adaptability that the Villans have shown amid their extensive injury haul after the Fulham victory, where fifth-choice centre-back Clement Lenglet partnered the newly returning Pau Torres.
“You look at Clem Lenglet who has come in today and played right-sided centre half. He was brilliant and it just shows we are ready to play wherever, we are ready to fight and are ready to win.”
The win was vital not just to improve the form of the squad, but also to their hopes of finishing in the top four, as Spurs’ loss to Wolves saw the Villans reclaim fourth place.
The 26-year-old was quick to defend his side’s claim to a Champions League finish, detailing what is needed to achieve such a feat.
“There is always a little bit of panic when we drop off [out the top four]. Then you get back into the top four and I am sure all the Villa fans will be happy.”
“But it is part of the journey, part of the road. You win some, you lose some. The more you win, the more consistent you are so you finish in those top areas.”
Securing a top-four finish would now be huge for Aston Villa
Injuries are guaranteed throughout the course of the footballing calendar although the hardships that Emery’s squad has endured this term have been astounding.
Losing three key players to ACL blows and rarely having his favoured XI available due to injury has extremely tested the Spaniard during his first full season at Villa Park.
Still, the boss has somehow managed to keep the momentum high in the Midlands, as the Villans sit in the top four and only eight points off the summit.
A lot of talk is made of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City’s injury list, while Villa’s challenges this term feel somewhat overlooked, reinforcing just how great of a job Emery has done this season.
It’s rare to see the former Gunners boss complain about the lack of availability in his squad, with his adaptability making the situation seem far less critical than it actually is.
Not many managers or squads would be able to facilitate the loss of three key players to three severe injuries, echoing Cash’s praise for his teammates’ strength during what has been a testing campaign.
