---
title: "Dean Smith gives positive injury update on Matty Cash"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/26/dean-smith-matty-cash-hamstring-injury-ahmed-elmohamady-leeds/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-02-26T15:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-26T15:00:00Z"
---

# Dean Smith gives positive injury update on Matty Cash

[Matty Cash](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/18/matty-cash-aston-villa-injury-dean-smith/) missed Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester last weekend due to a [hamstring injury](https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1362117360253947904?s=20), but Dean Smith has given a positive update on his recovery ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leeds.

The 23-year-old is expected to miss the trip to Elland Road, meaning Ahmed Elmohamady should keep his place at right-back, but Cash is back running on grass and will soon be able to join first team training.

Smith said in Friday’s pre-match [press conference](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/The-Presser-Smith-on-facing-Leeds/): “Matty Cash is back on the training pitches running. We’ll be guided by the medical department on when he joins in with us.”

Cash is a loss for Villa. Smith recently [described](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cash-injury-news-aston-villa-19861839) him as an “infectious” player in the dressing room due to his enthusiasm on the training ground, but he’ll be missed the most on the pitch.

The 23-year-old has made 21 Premier League appearances this season, supplied two assists, created 17 chances, whipped in 64 crosses, won 54 tackles and aerial duels, blocked 41 shots/passes/crosses, completed seven successful dribbles, won 16 free kicks and made 49 interceptions ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/322043/Show/Matthew-Cash)).

At least [Elmohamady is an able deputy](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/16/ahmed-elmohamady-deputy-injured-matty-cash-aston-villa/) for Cash. He [didn’t have the best game against Leicester](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/22/villa-fans-slam-ahmed-elmohamady-performance-leicester/) but should improve after shaking off any rust against the Foxes.

**READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

Villa have won only [one of their last four games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/spielplandatum/verein/405) ahead of their meeting with Leeds, so they could do with getting a result.

In Cash’s absence, Elmohamady will go up against the impressive Jack Harrison, who has scored [three goals in his last seven games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jack-harrison/leistungsdaten/spieler/417346), so he needs to be at his best to thwart the Leeds winger.