Aston Villa head into the second international break of the season fifth in the Premier League after drawing 0-0 with Manchester United on Sunday.
Unai Emery will have been disappointed that his Aston Villa players did not capitalise on the opportunity to go just two points off league-leaders Liverpool with a win against Manchester United.
However, it is still another point in the right direction for Villa, as well as a clean sheet against a potentially dangerous opponent.
In truth, it was a really poor game with both sides showing the effects of their European exertions in midweek and quality in the final third was all too rare.
One point of concern for Emery will be the fact Ezri Konsa was forced off through injury after just 12 minutes, but he will have been pleased with the return of Matty Cash.
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Matty Cash returns to Aston Villa starting XI vs Man Utd
Cash had been out injured since coming off in the first-half against Arsenal in the second game of the season.
Emery has had to find solutions and Lamare Bogarde and Konsa have both played at right-back to fill the void left by Cash; the fact Emery did not trust natural right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic intriguing.
Cash made a timely return against United and was solid if not spectacular, but with the extent of Konsa’s injury not yet fully known his return could be vital.
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Cash would have enjoyed being back involved and took to Instagram to post a message to fans after the game with a series of pictures from the draw.
The caption that accompanied the pictures read: “Great to be back out there! Thanks for the support.”
Cash return good news for Ezri Konsa
There will be few people happier than Konsa that Cash has returned.
Whilst Konsa was forced off against United, the hope is that it is not a bad injury and the two week international break will give the defender the perfect opportunity to recover.
Konsa has been filling in at right-back recently and, although it is a position he can perform well, he much prefers to play centrally.
Emery would also prefer this with Diego Carlos not the most reliable at centre-back and Konsa’s relationship with Pau Torres is a very solid one.
Therefore, Cash’s return to fitness is a very welcome one for Villa and he could be crucial after the international break.
