- Matty Cash has sent a warning to Nottingham Forest ahead of the second leg of the Europa League semi-final, insisting it will be a “completely different game”
- Aston Villa were beaten 1-0 at the City Ground on Thursday night, after Chris Wood’s penalty
- Unai Emery’s side will have to overturn a one-goal deficit to book their spot for the final in Istanbul on May 20th
Matty Cash has sent a strong message to Nottingham Forest after they defeated his Aston Villa side 1-0 in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday night. The right-back warns that it will be a “completely different game” next week when they host them at Villa Park next week.
Chris Wood’s penalty was the defining moment in the match, after Lucas Digne outstretched his arms inside the box to block Omari Hutchinson’s cross. The New Zealander rifled it home, giving Forest a slender lead heading into the second leg.
Villa had a great chance to initially take the lead when Morgan Rogers’s deflected effort fell to Ollie Watkins, but the striker couldn’t steer it past Stefan Ortega.
There was another controversial moment in the match, when Elliott Anderson was lucky not to receive a red card for his challenge on Watkins. The 23-year-old followed through with his studs up, making contact with Watkins’ ankle. It was checked and cleared by VAR, causing uproar by Emery after the match.
Overall, the Villans executed the game plan as Emery wanted; however, a poor error by Digne proved costly.
Cash sends warning
In an interview after Villa’s defeat, Cash discussed the performance and how the players believe they can turn it around.
“A good atmosphere, two English clubs in the semi-finals of a big competition. It was a good battle, with a lot of key moments in the game, and chances for either team.
“They (Forest) are in a good way. Obviously, I know in the league they haven’t been that good, but if you look at their last results, they are full of momentum, and especially at the City Ground. I know personally how good it can be here.
“There are always things we can improve on. This was a tough place to come. They have really good players, England internationals in their team and internationals all over. But we are really confident.”
Cash added: “We are still in the game. We are in a European semi-final back at Villa Park, and we have loads to play for. We have just spoken in the dressing room, the manager has said that the game is nowhere near done. There’s loads of football still to play with our people at home.
“Villa Park has been an amazing atmosphere this season, so we know we are going to fight next week and make it really difficult. It’s going to be a really different game than tonight, but overall, it’s okay.
“I know we lost, but it wasn’t a bad result, and there’s loads of time to play. If you lose or draw tonight, you still have to win next week.
“We’ll stay calm, stick together. We know what we are about, we know how good we are at home, and next week I am sure they are going to know that it is going to be a completely different game at Villa Park.”
All to play for
Despite the narrow defeat at the City Ground, Cash’s defiant stance reflects a squad that understands the need to step up next week. While Digne’s error proved costly, the tie is far from over.
With the home advantage and return of their formidable atmosphere, Emery’s side believes the momentum is ready to shift. Forest may hold the lead, but as Cash warned, a very different challenge awaits them in the second leg.
