- Matty Cash spoke to reporters on Wednesday night ahead of the Europa League quarter-final against Bologna
- The right-back discussed the contest and his World Cup heartbreak during the international break
- The first-leg takes places at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
“We are here to win.” Matty Cash issues a defiant rallying cry ahead of Aston Villa’s Europa League quarter-final.
Matty Cash has been one of Aston Villa’s best players this season. He was a bright light in what was a pretty dire start to the Premier League season, scoring the side first goal in a 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
The Polish international’s consistency has drastically improved compared to his first few years at the club. Now coming to the end of his sixth campaign at B6, the 28-year-old is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
During Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, he shared his thoughts on the squad’s mentality ahead of their crucial Europa League quarter-final opener.
“It’s two legs and 180 minutes. A lot can happen, coming away to a place like this.
“We have come here to win and do all we can to put ourselves in a good position for next week. We are here to win, respecting them, but we are here to get our business done.”
Aston Villa aren’t just making up the numbers in Europe this season they’re hunting for silverware. As the Villans prepare for their highly anticipated clash and the defender has made the team’s intentions crystal clear.
Cash brushed aside any notion of “just being happy to be there,” insisting that the squad’s mentality has shifted from participants to genuine contenders.
Under the lights of Villa Park, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a place in the semi-finals on the line, Cash’s “here to win” attitude reflects the soaring confidence of a side that has become one of the most feared outfits in the competition.
Villa go into the match hoping to continue their good form in the Europa League, having won their last five matches. However, an away fixture in Europe is always a difficult task, so they will need to be at their best to succeed.
When speaking about the challenge of facing Bologna, the No 2 said, “They are a really, really good team. Really good man-to-man. Really strong.
“The fixtures after we played them, I don’t think that they have lost, so they have been really good in Europe since we played them.”
World Cup heartbreak
During the international break, Poland were beaten 3-2 by Sweden in the final of the World Cup play-offs.
During the pre match press conference, the 28-year-old spoke about the disappointment of missing out on the chance to play in a World Cup, but he was clear his full focus was on the match.
“Disappointing, but I sort of try to switch off from Villa, and then switch off from Poland. Missing out on the World Cup is not great, but everyone in the Poland team gave a good account of ourselves.
“Now back at Villa, we are trying to switch off from that now.
“It’s been a while since we have been together as a group. Everyone went away and did different things. We have had a few sessions together and nearly a full weeks training.
“The full focus is on tomorrow’s game and to get the manager’s thinking for tomorrow.”
All eyes will be on the sharpness of the players, with this match being their first in seventeen days. Supporters are desperate for silverware, and this is their best opportunity in years to achieve it, so Villa cannot afford to take their foot off the gas now.
