Following persistent rumours linking Matty Cash with a switch to Villa Park, all of the indications yesterday were that the 23 year old would join Villa.
The club have announced this morning that Cash has officially transferred from Nottingham Forest, for a fee understood to be £14m (rising to £16m).
Villa Underground writer Adam Holt has the low-down on Dean Smith’s first signing of the 2020 summer transfer window:
Villa sign Forest star Matty Cash
Nottingham Forest’s versatile Matty Cash has become Dean Smith’s first signing of the summer transfer window. The fee had been reported by the John Percy (Telegraph) to be up to £16m for the Forest academy graduate in a deal that brings the East Midland’s side’s player of the season to the Premier League.
With Villa having signed the 23-year-old, let us look at the Englishman’s career so far, and what kind of player Cash is.
Cash’s career so far…
Matty Cash signed his first professional contract with Forest in 2014, having spent a couple of seasons in their academy. Starting out as a midfielder, He first experienced professional football in a six-month loan spell with then League Two side Dagenham and Redbridge, scoring three times in 12 games for the Daggers.
Cash signed a new three-year deal with Forest in August 2016. He went on to make his first senior appearance for Nottingham Forest soon after, in 4-3 win over Burton Albion. Cash’s season was brought to a halt when he sustained a fracture to his tibia in a match against Villa in September of that year in a 2-2 draw. Cash was also demonstrating his versatility, having also been utilised at on the right wing, making him extremely useful for Forest offensively.
Embed from Getty ImagesCash signed another new contract to keep him at the City Ground until 2021, despite reported interest from the likes of Chelsea and Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. His first goal for Forest came in 2018, when he scored during a 5-2 thrashing of fellow Championship side QPR.
Cash has played most of his career as a right winger and has also featured in the centre of midfield, before being converted to a modern right back at the start of last season by Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi.
What type of player is Cash?
As mentioned before, Cash is a very versatile player, as he can be utilised by Dean Smith in a plethora of positions – with options of playing him either at right back, right wing or in midfield. Typically found on the right though, the 23 year old is certainly versatile.
Cash is also impressive in the tackle, has pace and also an eye for goal.
Cash is an exciting prospect given that his fearlessness and the fact that he can become another threat for the opposition to deal with. His aggression and pace go together with an ability to put good quality balls into the opposition penalty area and with his long range passing, now providing Villa another avenue with which to attack opponents.
Verdict
So, is Matty worth the Cash? (£16m)? I’ll get my coat…
The former Wycombe youth player could be an inspired signing for Villa, with his versatility, defensive and creative prowess making him an exciting purchase.
Villa fans will also hope that he can provide a few goals and assists in a bid to avoid a repeat of last seasons relegation battle.
NEWSLETTER
Don’t forget to SIGN UP to our 100% FREE Villa Newsletter.
A decade of Villa News to your inbox – JOIN TODAY!
Want to help even more? Please Donate