Matty Cash reveals where Aston Villa can find inspiration for PSG comeback
Matty Cash says Villa need look no further than last Saturday’s win over Nottingham Forest for inspiration they can pull off a Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.
Unai Emery’s men will head into next week’s quarter-final second leg with a mountain to climb after losing 3-1 in France on Wednesday night, Nuno Mendes netting a crucial stoppage time goal to give their opponents a two-goal cushion.
But Cash is confident Villa can turn it around in front of their own supporters, pointing out how they scored twice in as many minutes against Forest last weekend.
Emery’s team also netted twice in the opening four minutes against Celtic in the Champions League group phase and are unbeaten in five home matches in this season's competition.
Cash said: “I think the occasion is going to be fantastic and as I said and we're more than capable to get back in the tie.
“Definitely, that's what we're gonna be looking to do.”
Villa looked set to escape Paris just a goal behind despite the hosts dominating the match.
PSG, who knocked out Liverpool in the previous round, had more than 75 per cent of possession and registered 29 attempts on goal, compared to Villa’s seven.
But it was the visitors who took the lead when Morgan Rogers fired home Youri Tielemans’ 35th minute cross.
The lead lasted only four minutes as Desire Doue curled home from outside the box, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put the home side in front early in the second half.
Villa held firm only to concede with 90 seconds remaining through Mendes. Cash agreed with Emery’s assessment the late goal had changed little in terms of the outlook.
He said: “I wouldn't say it's killed us. I think, as I said, we're more than capable to go and score two or three at home, I think.
“So it is what it is. We've conceded three goals away from home, we’'ve scored one and there's two goals in it.
“And I think at home we can be more than capable of getting back in the tie.
“I think that's the mindset in the group from the manager. We need to do everything we can to get Villa Park going. And two goals is doable. It'll be fantastic. A great occasion.”
Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez experienced a frustrating night as despite making several impressive saves, he was beaten by Doue from distance, before Kvaratskhelia’s vicious strike went in off his near post.
The Argentina international, who remains deeply unpopular in France due to his exploits in the 2022 World Cup final, was booed throughout by the home crowd.
Cash said: “Emi’s a big character, I wouldn't want anyone else in goal, to be honest. behind me.
“He defends the goal so well, he's such a good goalkeeper. Brings that experience in, that character to the team. I think tonight as well he pulled off some fantastic saves. As I said, it's great to have him behind us.”
Cash himself was taken off at half-time after picking up a booking in the first half. His replacement, Axel Disasi, was then beaten by Kvaratskhelia in the build-up to the second goal.
Cash said: “The manager just spoke, said obviously it was a team decision to come off, obviously with the yellow card.
“I think I was unlucky to get booked, to be honest. I didn't really do anything. I don't even think I've done anything really.
“I maybe got tight and there was one where he (the referee) warned me, but I didn't even pull him. And then the second one for the booking, I won the ball. I need to watch it back, but I think I won the ball. But it is what it is. Yeah, it was disappointed to come off. I wanted to play. I respect the manager completely and it is what it is.”
