Aston Villa defender Matty Cash could be presented with the perfect opportunity to impress Unai Emery this evening, as the Villans welcome Ajax to the Midlands.
The stage is set for Aston Villa to go to battle with Ajax for a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
Unai Emery will hope his side can redeem themselves in front of their supporters after the horrors seen on Sunday during the 4-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham.
It’s all to play for this evening as the score remains at 0-0 following the first leg in Amsterdam, where the talk of the fixture from a Villa perspective was the dismissal of Ezri Konsa.
Aston Villa team news vs Ajax
Konsa won’t be the only key figure missing for the Villans this evening against Ajax, with Emery confirming that Jacob Ramsey will not have a part to play in the fixture.
The 22-year-old has struggled for fitness throughout the course of the 2023/24 campaign and his return will be delayed with the boss relaying his hope that the midfielder won’t be absent for a long time.
Following his double yellow in the first leg, Konsa will be unavailable in defence for Emery, joined by Nicolo Zaniolo who is also suspended after picking up a booking in Amsterdam.
Luckily, the manager has options at the back to cover for the absence of Konsa, with one star being presented with the perfect opportunity to impress as the Englishman sits tonight’s duel out.
Matty Cash now has the chance to impress Unai Emery
After being dropped to the bench to see Konsa step into the right side of defence, Matty Cash will be eager to make a difference this evening at Villa Park.
Throughout the season, Emery has switched between the two defenders to assume the position of right-back, finding success by taking Konsa out of his usual central role to challenge in the wide channels.
While the Englishman has done a stellar job when called upon this term, it’s arguable that Cash is the better full-back, with the Poland international presenting more versatility in the position.
Emery himself lauded the “versatile” nature of the 26-year-old earlier in the season, with Konsa’s absence now presenting the right-back with the chance to reclaim his place.
Cash has already imposed himself in the Conference League this campaign, having secured one assist and maintaining an average of one key pass per game in the competition, via Sofascore, highlighting the force he can add to the attack.
As covered prior to the match, Ajax can be exposed on the right side, as seen during their Eredivisie draw with Fortuna Sittard last week, something that Emery will hope Cash can now exploit with his strengths this evening.
