Aston Villa have a potential injury headache on our hands as Matty Cash was forced off after just nine minutes for Poland on Friday night.
Poland suffered a 3-1 defeat to Czech Republic in their opening Euro 2024 Qualifier, but from a Villa perspective there was an early blow as Cash was replaced just nine minutes into the encounter, as confirmed by the club.
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While there hasn’t been any official word on his condition as of yet, it’s reported via TVP that he sustained a left calf muscle injury and he is a doubt to face Albania in their next outing next week.
Further tests will no doubt be carried out now to determine the full extent of the problem, and naturally it’s hoped that it’s nothing too serious that could sideline the 25-year-old for an extended period of time.
Villa will no doubt be closely monitoring the situation as well, with Cash cementing his place in the starting XI in recent weeks after a string of impressive performances to suggest that he is now adapting well to Unai Emery’s demands.
Given the momentum he’s built and how we’ve kept three clean sheets in our last four league outings, the last thing Villa and Emery need is injuries disrupting that balance and solidity, and so it’s hoped that he will be available for our encounter with Chelsea on April 1.
Should he miss out, Ashley Young would likely be the top choice to deputise in a straight swap at right-back, as although Diego Carlos logged 67 minutes in a friendly on Friday in his own comeback from injury, shifting Konsa across and bringing the Brazilian in seems like a risky and disruptive move at this stage as he continues to build up his match fitness.
Emery has options, but of course, the ideal scenario is that Cash isn’t sidelined by the calf issue and will be at the Spaniard’s disposal next weekend.