Aston Villa defender Matty Cash is convinced the club has limitless potential under the stewardship of manager Unai Emery. As the Villans continue to make waves in their first Champions League campaign in over 40 years, Cash took a moment to reflect on the club’s meteoric rise since he joined from Nottingham Forest in 2020.
“In the last four years since I joined, the club has just gone through the roof,” the 27-year-old right-back marveled. “The quality in every single department has increased and I truly believe this club has no ceiling.”
From Relegation Candidates to Champions League Contenders
When Unai Emery took over the reins at Villa Park in November 2022, the club was hovering precariously above the Premier League relegation zone. Fast forward two years and they are not only an established top-six side but are making an impressive debut in Europe’s premier club competition.
Emery’s impact has been nothing short of transformational. His first match in charge saw Villa stun Manchester United 3-1, setting the tone for the Spanish tactician’s reign. According to a source close to the club, Emery made his expectations crystal clear from day one.
“The only words I use repeatedly, which I said when I arrived here and now, are: ‘I don’t want to waste my time here,'” Emery revealed. “‘I don’t want you to waste your time here.’ We want to maintain our current Champions League level and add something more, like being a contender for a trophy.”
Building Blocks for Sustained Success
Matty Cash sees Villa’s maiden Champions League campaign as a major milestone in the club’s evolution under Emery, but far from the final destination. After claiming a famous win over Bayern Munich, Cash and his teammates are hungry to establish themselves as a regular fixture on the European stage.
“Playing Champions League football has been a building block to get here and the manager has been a big part of that,” Cash acknowledged. “It is great to be here but I think this club can go all the way to the top.”
Emery’s Long-Term Vision
For his part, Unai Emery is determined to ensure Villa’s Champions League adventure is no flash in the pan. The former Sevilla, PSG, and Arsenal boss recently extended his contract at Villa Park until 2029, underlining his commitment to the long-term project.
“We are there at this moment but I want to stay there for a long time,” Emery asserted. “It is difficult. Maybe sometimes you can have some problems but we have to be resilient in case they are coming. We have to be strong in our ideas and in our mind, to create a strong mentality to always try to break barriers.”
The Sky’s the Limit
As Villa prepares to welcome Serie A side Bologna to Villa Park in their next Champions League encounter, the mood around the club is one of unbridled optimism. With Emery at the helm and a squad brimming with talent and self-belief, Matty Cash and his teammates are daring to dream big.
The defender’s bold claim that Aston Villa “has not got a ceiling” under Unai Emery may have raised eyebrows a few years ago. But given the club’s extraordinary progress and the palpable sense of momentum engulfing Villa Park, it’s becoming harder and harder to dismiss as mere hyperbole. For the Villans faithful, the sky truly seems to be the limit.
