One Aston Villa ace ‘has no limits’ under Unai Emery - and it’s not who you may think

Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has backed one particular player to become a key fixture in a new-look Unai Emery side. The ex-Scotland international, who made 185 league appearances for Villa between 2011 and 2019, believes a like-minded defender can take his game to the next level.

Having arrived at Villa Park at the start of November, Emery has now had just under a month to get accustomed to his new surroundings. The squad returned to Bodymoor Heath last week, giving the Spaniard the opportunity to get to work with all but four of his players throughout the World Cup break.

Emiliano Martinez has been away in Qatar as Argentina’s number one goalkeeper, whereas Matty Cash and Jan Bednarek have been representing Poland. Leander Dendoncker has been enjoying plenty of minutes with Belgium - albeit the Red Devils have fallen well below expectations.

The Villans aren’t in Premier League action again for another four weeks, with their next game at home to Liverpool on Boxing Day. This gives the new man in the dugout the chance to properly instill his own playing style - and Hutton thinks it will suit one player to a T.

“Emery can help Cash develop to go as far as he wants to in his career,” Hutton told OLBG. “Matty ticks all the boxes - he’s aggressive, he’s got a good delivery of the ball, he can get the odd goal and defensively he’s very good. His rise has been incredible - to now be playing in a World Cup, it’s a dream for him.

“The ball is in his court when it comes to how far he can go in his career. Moving forward, he does need competition to get to that next level because I don’t think there’s anyone pushing him yet. Getting competition is the next step and as long as he keeps his feet on the ground and listens to the new manager, I’m sure he’ll continue to move forward,” Hutton said.

Since signing from Nottingham Forest in 2020, Cash has made 79 Premier League appearances for the Lions, scoring four goals and contributing five assists in that period. He’s become a key man at Villa Park, but he has struggled somewhat this campaign during a difficult spell under former manager Steven Gerrard.

There was an immediate boost through Emery’s arrival with two successive league wins and a narrow defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup. Cash showed an improvement in these games and if he builds momentum from that he could well go onto even bigger things, just as Hutton believes.

In the meantime, Cash remains out in Qatar with his international teammates. Poland are unbeaten at the top of Group C with one match to go, and Cash has played every minute available to him. Their next game is a huge challenge, though, as they take on Argentina on Wednesday, November 30.