Aston Villa could hand Matty Cash an important new responsibility after Kosta Nedeljkovic returned from his second loan spell with RB Leipzig.
Nedeljkovic struggled to earn regular Bundesliga minutes last season, making five league appearances and playing only 252 minutes.
The limited game time leaves Unai Emery with a difficult decision. Another loan could provide the 20-year-old with regular football, but Villa also need an established deputy for Cash.
Andrés García’s season-long move to Getafe has created an opening on the right side of Emery’s defence.
Rather than entering the transfer market, Villa could retain Nedeljkovic and allow him to develop alongside Cash throughout the 2026/27 campaign.
Nedeljkovic numbers offer Villa encouragement
Nedeljkovic’s second season in Germany did not provide the volume of football Villa would have wanted.
However, the Serbian produced several promising numbers when he did feature.
According to Aston Villa News, using FotMob data, Nedeljkovic won every aerial duel he contested in the Bundesliga.
His 62.5 per cent long-pass accuracy reportedly placed him inside the leading eight per cent of right-backs in the division. He also completed 87.1 per cent of his passes and committed just 0.36 fouls per 90 minutes.
Those figures must be viewed alongside his small sample of minutes. Five appearances are not enough to establish whether Nedeljkovic is ready to perform consistently in the Premier League.
They still highlight several qualities Emery can work with.
Nedeljkovic has the physical profile to defend the back post, while his passing figures suggest he can contribute to Villa’s patient build-up. His pace also provides a different option to Cash when Villa need greater recovery speed.
As Read Aston Villa reported following his return, pre-season gives Emery an opportunity to assess whether the youngster has developed enough to remain with the senior squad.
Cash could become Villa’s on-field mentor
Cash remains Emery’s leading right-back and signed a new contract last October.
The official Aston Villa announcement confirmed that the Poland international is tied to the club until 2029.
Nedeljkovic’s deal runs to the same summer, creating the possibility of a gradual transition rather than an immediate change.
Cash would continue as the starter, while Nedeljkovic could receive minutes in cup competitions and during a demanding European schedule. Training alongside an experienced Premier League full-back may also help him understand the tactical demands of Emery’s system.
Villa ask their right-back to perform several roles. Cash must provide width when the left-back moves inside, protect the space behind Villa’s midfield and judge when to join attacks.
Nedeljkovic has athletic ability, but experience will determine whether he can perform those duties reliably.
Cash could help with that development through training and match preparation. His new responsibility would not come through losing his starting position, but by helping Villa prepare the player who could eventually challenge for it.
Emery must balance development with immediate demands
Keeping Nedeljkovic would give Villa an inexpensive solution behind Cash.
García’s temporary departure has reduced the number of natural right-backs available, as Read Aston Villa reported after the move was confirmed.
Ezri Konsa and Lamare Bogarde can cover the position, but both are more valuable in central areas. Retaining Nedeljkovic would allow Emery to avoid moving either player away from their strongest role.
The risk concerns playing time.
Another season spent mainly on the bench would do little for a defender approaching his 21st birthday. Villa must only keep Nedeljkovic if Emery intends to provide a realistic route into the team.
Pre-season will offer the first indication.
A convincing summer could establish Nedeljkovic as Cash’s deputy and begin a longer-term succession plan. If Emery remains unconvinced, a loan with guaranteed minutes would offer greater value.
Cash is not about to surrender his position. He may instead be asked to help prepare the player capable of eventually succeeding him.
