Unai Emery: Matty Cash is 'very important' to Aston Villa

Unai Emery: Matty Cash is 'very important' to Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has heaped praise on right-back Matty Cash ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.

The tie marks one of Villa's most significant matches this century, with the Villans facing tournament favourites PSG, who recently knocked out Liverpool.

Despite the daunting challenge, Emery remains quietly confident his side can produce a shock result in the French capital.

Cash has featured six times in the Champions League campaign so far, but his involvement has been limited recently due to recurring injuries.

He was notably absent from the squad that secured a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest, but Emery has suggested the Polish international is in line to return tonight.

"He is very important for us, Matty Cash. He is in Aston Villa for a long time," Emery told the media on Tuesday night.

"The last match he didn't play because I decided for another player. And because as well, when we are playing out of matches in a row, he is sometimes at risk to get injured.

"He was getting injured before sometimes playing matches in a row. But I am very happy with him, and he has the potential to exploit more even than he did here.

"And we are demanding with him, he is also a very good professional, and he wants to improve, and he wants to do everything we are working. And hopefully he can play tomorrow, the first leg, second leg, in case he is playing his best football." 

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