Aston Villa handed Matty Cash ‘hope to return’ for Leeds visit as midfield trio remain out | OneFootball

Aston Villa are eyeing a defensive boost, with Matty Cash hoping to be back for Leeds United’s visit on Saturday, The Athletic reports. Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn will still miss the Premier League game.

The sides meet after contrasting FA Cup ties. Leeds beat Birmingham City 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Villa suffered a home exit amid refereeing controversy.

Cash has missed the last two matches with a knee problem after scans following the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. He sat out the 1-0 win at Brighton and the 3-1 defeat to Newcastle. Lamare Bogarde has filled in, while fellow right-back Andres Garcia is out with a hamstring injury.

Unai Emery recently said selection gaps are nothing new and that he values versatility. He believes Villa have enough options to cover full-back and midfield, with players ready to help in different roles.

Earlier scans showed no serious issue for the Poland international, raising hope of a return against Leeds. By contrast, those midfield absences are longer term and pushed Villa to re-sign Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus in January.

Since those setbacks, Villa have won only one of their past four in all competitions, needing an 86th-minute own-goal to edge struggling Brighton, with defeats to Brentford and Newcastle and a draw with Bournemouth. Leeds lost the reverse fixture 2-1 in November but have been beaten only three times in 16 since and will travel with confidence.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk