Ahmed Elmohamady is a capable deputy for injured Matty Cash [Opinion]

Matty Cash picked up a suspected hamstring injury in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Brighton and is a doubt ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Leicester City, but Aston Villa supporters need not panic over Ahmed Elmohamady being the only right-back option now available to Dean Smith.

The reaction among some fans at the prospect of the 33-year-old replacing Cash was negative in the replies to a tweet posted by the club about Frederic Guilbert impressing during his loan spell at Strasbourg, but the pleas for him to be recalled should fall on deaf ears.

Elmohamady has been ahead of the Frenchman in the pecking order all season and has proven to be an able deputy when called upon. The Egyptian has made only six league appearances this season, just one of which was a start, but he was an effective player in 2019/20.

Elmohamady featured 18 times in the league last term, winning 19 tackles, being dribbled past only 0.6 times per game, making 22 clearances and 14 blocks, creating 22 chances, giving away only 0.7 fouls per game and boasting a 63% dribbling success rate (WhoScored).

READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT

Some might have their concerns over Elmohamady turning 34 in September, but he is clearly capable of stepping in for Cash despite being in the twilight of his career. His statistics from last season illustrate as such.

Smith would not have allowed Guilbert to leave if he didn’t trust the Egyptian veteran, so Villa fans shouldn’t worry about having nobody reliable to fill in for Cash if he is set for a spell on the sidelines.