Aston Villa’s Matty Cash has appealed to supporters to be patient and brave along with the players as we continue to play out from the back.
Villa secured back-to-back wins and clean sheets at the weekend after a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, a crucial result in itself given the improvement on our recent home form.
READ MORE: ‘Tactical genius’ Emery praised by Villa duo for decisive tweak in win
After conceding eight goals in two games at Villa Park and losing to both Arsenal and Leicester City respectively, it was important for Unai Emery to see his side keep a clean sheet and build on that to get the three points.
However, another key aspect of that performance was the ongoing push to implement and establish a clear style of play and brand of football, starting with our desire to play out from the back.
While it has cost us at times this season with mistakes leading directly to goals conceded, the benefits of the approach are also very clear. Not only has it led to a much better level of quality of football for the most part and an identity and direction to our play, but it’s proven decisive on occasion too, as seen in the video below of our goal from the weekend.
Despite those aforementioned mistakes, it’s a principle of Emery’s coaching that he will not waver from, and Cash, who was instrumental in the goal, has appealed to Villa fans to be patient with it and get behind the team as we stick with playing out from the back.
“I think we need to be more resilient at home, it’s such an amazing stadium, such a big crowd every week,” he told VillaTV. “I think we need to stick it together, be strong together, because when we’re winning and they’re loud it helps us massively.
“In games like that we have to be patient, obviously 1-0, we’re trying to build out, we’re trying to have a style and it takes time to do.
“Everyone has to be on the same page with that, but that takes time, we’ve got to be brave to do it, they’ve got to be brave with us.
“That’s how you pick up results, and I think here we showed good character.”
It’s certainly a challenge for the players to adapt and adjust, as ultimately if they can’t prove to Emery that they can successfully implement and execute his ideas, the Spanish tactician will have to consider replacements and reinforcements in the summer to do it more efficiently.
Mistakes will be part of the process, but just as we saw with the goal below, it’s important we stick with it, perfect it, and ultimately find consistency as it’s not only great to watch develop from an entertainment perspective, but it’s going to be pivotal in breaking teams down, especially at home.
From one end to the other. 👌 pic.twitter.com/aLhktSX6xv
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 5, 2023