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Matty Cash believes Aston Villa are “probably in a better way” than last season despite a summer of change at the club.
The right-back is one of only five players who started the Europa League final to remain at the club following the departures of Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.
Villa experienced a slow start to the season, losing three of their first four league games, but have since won six of their last seven matches in all competitions and lost just once in 10.
A 2-1 victory over Man City on Saturday sent a statement to the rest of the Premier League as Unai Emery’s side secured their fourth successive home league win against the reigning champions.
“Tactical wise, he’s amazing,” Cash said of the Spaniard. “He gives us a really good game plan beforehand to implement. We know how good City are – winning seven in a row. They are really tactically amazing as well. Obviously the manager is giving us a message but as players we have to take responsibility.
“It’s always detailed. Always detailed. When you play different opposition, it’s different. Lots of details to go into – so I won’t go into it. You have to take it – or you’re not playing at the elite level.
“If you don’t take information at this level, you’re in the wrong job, you know! We’ve been working together for a long time now. The players know the structure and what he wants. The players who came in have adapted really well. Taking all the information and that’s why we set results like today.”
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Nicolas Jackson, who replaced Watkins, has now scored six goals in his last six games, scoring either side of Erling Haaland’s equalizer on Saturday.
“I saw it in training. When he first came in, he found his feet like all the boys. He had a little pre-season at Chelsea but not much. In the beginning it took time,” Cash said of Jackson.
“Now, woah, we’re probably better than last season. I know that’s crazy to say. But the way we’re playing, the way we’re training, putting the information on board, doing it overall, I think we’re in a really good spot.
“He is [Jackson] hit the ground. A big price tag but also a big player. If you have that quality, you bring that price tag for you, don’t you? For him, I think he is an amazing striker.
“He did really well at Chelsea. I don’t think he really got the chance he deserved. From when I was watching as an outsider. But playing with him now and seeing him, he’s a quality striker.
After Emery and his players had Sunday off, they will prepare for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup trip to Bournemouth before returning to Villa Park to host Fulham on Saturday night. Trips to Camp Nou and Old Trafford await next week.
“To play at Camp Nou and play in these big games, Champions League nights at Villa Park, that’s what you want as a footballer,” Cash said. “We’ve got a really exciting schedule coming in. We’ve had an exciting schedule so far and we’ve been producing and doing well.”
