Aston Villa hopeful on key man's fitness after positive update
Villa are hopeful Matty Cash will be fit for next week’s Europa League tie in Lille with the defender believed to have avoided serious injury.
The right-back was taken off at half-time during Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea after complaining of pain in his calf.
But scans have shown there is no significant damage and there is a chance Cash could be ready to play in the first leg of the last-16 tie in France.
The Poland international scored a crucial 88th minute goal to level the scores on aggregate when Villa last visited the Stadie Pierre-Mauroy two years ago, eventually going on to win their Conference League quarter-final tie on penalties.
Cash has been among Villa’s top performers this season, starting all but two of their Premier League matches.
Unai Emery’s men head to Lille next Thursday to begin a crucial 11-day period in their season, which will include the return leg at Villa Park the following week, in between league matches against Manchester United and West Ham.
Villa are behind third-placed United on goal difference having seen an 11-point lead over the Red Devils eroded since the turn of the year.
Chelsea and Liverpool are a further three points further back, with a top-five finish likely to guarantee qualification for next season’s Champions League.
