On Sunday afternoon against West Ham, Matty Cash of Aston Villa showed Unai Emery what he could do as a right-back for the Villains.
West Ham appeared to have won the match in stoppage time, but Aston Villa was relieved to leave the London Stadium with a point in the end.
The 1-1 tie between the two teams that played in Europe on Thursday night was dominated by VAR, with two goals being disallowed and a contentious penalty challenge being rejected.
On a day when the referees’ decisions dominated play, Villa was denied a penalty for a handball in the first half and the hosts had two goals written off for the same offense.
Unai Emery’s side earned a point on what was a difficult day and dreary display from the visitors however, the manager will now have a decision to make based on one dazzling cameo.
Against West Ham, Matty Cash excelled for Aston Villa.
Ezri Konsa was started at right-back by the manager, just like he did against Ajax in the Europa Conference League, forcing Matty Cash to play either out of position or not at all.
Despite the fact that Konsa began the match on the right side of defense against West Ham, the Poland international was benched, and it quickly became clear that his team needed his experience.
The 26-year-old was brought in at halftime to take Clement Lenglet’s place, with Cash unleashed on the right and Konsa returning to his preferred center-back position.
It was clear from the opening stages of the second half just how potent the right-back can be for Villa, providing more of a direct threat in the final third as well as being solid defensively throughout.
As per Sofascore, Cash completed two successful dribbles, won three duels and provided one “unbelievable” block in 45 minutes, suggesting that he may have proved one of Emery’s theories wrong.
Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa proved Unai Emery wrong
As showcased against West Ham, Konsa is a reliable centre-back and Cash is Villa’s best option at right-back for the style of play that the manager demands of his team.
After the game, journalist Jacob Tanswell lauded the Poland international’s “brilliant” display against the Hammers, highlighting just what he can bring to Villa’s right side over Konsa.
“Matty Cash was everything you wanted from a sub today – added impetus going forward, brought intensity and made a brilliant block towards the end.”
“AVFC have got a right-back shortage but Emery needs to get Ezri Konsa in his best role.”
With Wolves up next, Emery could acknowledge the performance of both of his defenders in the second half against West Ham and start the duo in their best positions.
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