Matty Cash has missed Aston Villa’s Champions League opener against Club Brugge after suffering muscle soreness before the trip to Belgium.
The Poland international was a notable absentee when Unai Emery named his matchday squad at the Jan Breydel Stadium, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka starting at right-back.
Cash is not among Villa’s substitutes either.
The reason has now emerged, with The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell reporting that the defender did not travel with the squad because of muscle soreness.
Villa decided not to take a risk with Cash, although there is early optimism that the problem will not keep him sidelined for long.
Tanswell added that Cash is hopefully expected to be okay for the weekend, when Villa return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest. The Athletic reporter confirmed Cash’s absence and the reason on X.
Matty Cash injury not expected to be serious
The decision appears precautionary rather than evidence of a significant injury.
That will be important for Emery given the number of availability issues Villa have already dealt with during the opening weeks of the season.
Cash started Saturday’s goalless draw at Hull City and had been included in our original Aston Villa predicted XI against Club Brugge before his late absence became clear.
Wan-Bissaka has instead been handed his first Villa start following his summer arrival.
Cash remains part of Villa’s registered 2026/27 Champions League squad, meaning his absence tonight is entirely fitness-related rather than an eligibility issue.
The 29-year-old has made two Premier League appearances so far this season and remains an important option for Emery despite the increased competition provided by Wan-Bissaka.
Villa’s next game comes at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, leaving Cash four days to recover from the muscle problem. The club’s official fixture list confirms that match follows tonight’s Champions League opener.
For now, Emery has chosen not to gamble with his fitness in Bruges.
