Aston Villa is currently evaluating the condition of Matty Cash after he was substituted due to a calf issue during the second half of their match against Tottenham Hotspur. Cash exited the field after experiencing discomfort in his calf, leading to the introduction of Diego Carlos while the score was level at 1-1. He was soon joined off the pitch by Morgan Rogers, the Villa player who had scored the team’s initial goal, as he also requires assessment from the medical staff.
Despite the setbacks, Villa manager Unai Emery expressed a degree of optimism regarding both players during his post-match press conference. He indicated that the team is looking ahead to their upcoming fixtures, including a Champions League match against Club Brugge on Wednesday and a Premier League clash with Liverpool the following Saturday, just before the international break in November.
Emery commented on Rogers’ situation, stating, “I think Morgan will be okay because he wanted to continue playing.” He explained his decision to utilize two strikers for part of the match, which suggests confidence in the squad’s depth. Regarding Cash, he acknowledged the injury but remained hopeful, saying, “He felt something in his calf. Hopefully, it won’t keep him out for too long.”
In the match itself, Rogers had opened the scoring for Villa in the 32nd minute with a goal from a corner kick. However, the team was unable to maintain their lead after Brennan Johnson equalized shortly after halftime. Things deteriorated further for Villa when Dominic Solanke scored two quick goals, and James Maddison added a late free-kick, sealing a disappointing result for Villa.
Emery reflected on the game, saying, “We started the match as we planned. At halftime, our strategy was to maintain our momentum. However, they scored first in the second half. We had opportunities to secure a second goal, but Tottenham pushed back effectively.” He noted the importance of consistency in their performance and acknowledged that Villa had chances during transitions and set-pieces, but were unable to convert them, crediting Tottenham’s clinical finishing.
As Villa prepares for their next matches, the fitness of Cash and Rogers will be crucial for maintaining their competitive edge in both the Champions League and the Premier League.