In Focus: Matty Cashing in for Villa in more attacking role

Matty Cash had a day to forget at Anfield last Sunday.

The Aston Villa right-back scored an unfortunate own goal and could not prevent his side falling to a 3-0 defeat.

But that was a rare off-day for a player who has become one of the most dependable performers in the Premier League.

As Cash prepares to play for Poland in Thursday's Euro 2024 qualifier against the Faroe Islands, we take a look at his development under Unai Emery.

Goals galore

Cash has already netted three times in all competitions, pushing forward into advanced areas and reaping the rewards.

He scored a brace in Villa's recent 3-1 win at Burnley, with his first goal a poacher-like finish at the back post and his second an emphatic strike after a clever one-two with Moussa Diaby.

The full-back has clearly been given more licence to attack — his expected goals (xG) in the Premier League this season is already 1.77 compared to 0.17 over the entire 2022-23 campaign.

Versatility

Villa boss Emery was impressed by Cash's display at Turf Moor.

He said: "Matty Cash is versatile. He's played before as a winger.

"He is playing with us in a back four, sometimes lower, but sometimes we have used him like against Brentford in pre-season when he scored playing higher as a winger."

Emery has tinkered with his system regularly so far this season too, with Cash occasionally playing as a wing-back in a back five.

Impressive numbers

Cash's more offensive role is made clear by his stats four games into the season.

Only Ollie Watkins (10) has had more shots for Villa than the 26-year-old (nine) and he ranks first in the team for efforts on target (five).

The former Nottingham Forest man has still contributed defensively, completing a team-high six headed clearances and ranking second in the side for tackles made (seven).

Little details

It is perhaps no surprise that Cash has improved his all-round game under Emery.

The Basque coach, known for his attention to detail, has brought in specialist full-back coaches since his appointment as Villa manager last year.

Cash said: "We have full-back coaches that do loads of work with the full-backs, we have striker coaches too. It's all another level.

"I've never had stuff like that before so to be working with the two coaches that do the full-backs and the defensive side, in a short space of time the improvement we have seen has been really good.

"It's all about little details and hopefully that can continue and keep progressing. That's what he does with players, he makes them better."

Bright start

With the pause in domestic action ahead of the international break, Cash will likely reflect positively on his start to the season.

Despite heavy defeats to Newcastle and Liverpool, Villa have looked a force in attack and have only played one home match in the league.

With Cash forging an exciting partnership with new signing Diaby on the right flank, opposition defenders will not be looking forward to the prospect of facing the Villans.