Villa News exclusive as Aston Villa defender Matty Cash glances concernedly at Unai Emery, who stares across from the other side of the image.
(Credit: Imago)
Evan Shaw
Sun 24 August 2025 18:10, UK
Matty Cash’s future at Aston Villa may be about to become clear.
The defender has been a strong performer for the Villans throughout large parts of his five-year stay at Villa Park, but there are now concerns among the fanbase that his lack of consistency is hindering the team.
Cash has been heavily linked with a Villa exit in the last few days, as Nottingham Forest are showing an interest in bringing their former star back to the City Ground.
Unai Emery’s side are enduring a difficult start to the new season, and they could be about to lose a player who has played every minute of Premier League action so far.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks confused in the dugout.
Emery has started Cash in both league games so far this season. (Credit: Imago)
This article includes exclusive comment from former Aston Villa scout Bryan King.
Aston Villa to let Matty Cash join Nottingham Forest for £5m
Cash’s future at Villa had an added dimension as a result of Forest’s pursuit of Sevilla right-back Jose Angel Carmona.
The Reds had seemingly opted to sign the Spanish star instead of Cash, and even had a deal in place, only to see the player reject the move at the last-minute, according to the Express.
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That failure could now see them turn their attention back towards Cash, who they sold to their Premier League rivals for a fee of £14million back in 2020.
Cash has made over 180 appearances for Villa across five years with the club
He has surpassed 30 league appearances in a single season just once in that time
Nottingham Forest are eyeing a surprise move to bring him back to his former club
Ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes that Emery and Co. may be happy to let the Polish international leave before the imminent deadline, and may even accept a cut-price fee.
“I’d sell Cash personally,” King said.
“I don’t really think he’s going to be the full-back that’s going to take Villa to the next level.
“Hence why I think if they get an offer and Forest feel that he’s the player for them, I’d look at it.
“He seems to me to get done in the channel quite often, and he ball watches a bit. He’s not slow, but he always seems to get done for that first yard.
“I would imagine that if the deal is on for Forest, then I think Villa would be happy to show him the door for £5 or £6m.”
Aston Villa defender Matty Cash places his hands on his head during a game.
Villa may be happy to facilitate an exit for Cash. (Credit: Imago)
Unai Emery needs Hector Fort transfer
Villa have shown an interest in signing Hector Fort from Barcelona, and Emery and Co. must consider the likelihood of them striking that deal before deciding on Cash’s future.
If Cash were to depart, it would leave Andres Garcia as the first-choice right-back at the club, but he has largely not been trusted to start games of late.
With that in mind, it would be silly for Villa to sell Cash, despite his recent struggles, unless they are certain that they have a replacement in the pipeline before the imminent deadline.
With the likes of West Ham and Everton seemingly ahead of the Villans in the race to sign Fort, there appears to be little point in them moving Cash on unless the situation changes.
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