Aston Villa were beaten 2-0 at home by Arsenal in Saturday's late kick-off to hand Villa their first defeat of the new season. Despite a strong performance from the home side, the Gunners ran away victorious after second half goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.
The Villans put on a positive performance and squandered numerous opportunities that they would later go on to rue, and the defeat has highlighted a key area on the pitch that Villa must consider strengthening before the transfer window closes next week.
Right-back Matty Cash was forced to withdraw through injury, as he did last week, after just 15 minutes. Having appeared to suffer a minor hamstring injury in the win at West Ham United last weekend it was a surprise to most that Cash started yesterday's match. After stretching out his right leg in an attempt to block Gabriel Martinelli's cross the Villa man went down clutching the same hamstring and was forced to leave the pitch. Cash left the pitch in anger and disappointment and the feeling is that he may be sidelined for a lengthy period.
Unai Emery had an important decision to make so early on in the match and that was whether to replace Cash with 18-year-old Kosta Nedeljkovic as a like-for-like swap or bring on more experience in Brazilian international Diego Carlos and move Ezri Konsa to right-back. Emery decided to bring on the young Serbian and stick with the original game plan and shape. Speaking to Birmingham World, Emery had this to say on his decision:
"“It’s tactically a work we are doing. Konsa is feeling comfortable playing at centre-back and at the moment we are with two full-backs - Cash and Kosta - and I prefer to keep each one in his position.”"Unai Emery
Nedeljkovic gave a good account for himself on his Villa Park debut and looked positive when in possession. However, it was also clear that he was caught out a few times with balls in behind him for Trossard and he struggled as the second half progressed and Arsenal applied more pressure.
Kosta Nedeljkovic by the way…
— JB (@JB_2024) August 24, 2024
Not a million miles away at all. Thought he did really well against Martinelli, Trossard was an excellent impact sub and Kosta will grow.
Really solid on the whole, quick, didn’t look out of place.
He’s 18 years old. We’ve found a gem. #AVFC
With Cash likely to be sidelined for a while Villa would only have one recognised right-back in the squad in Nedeljkovic having already sent both Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Lino Sousa out on loan to Preston North End and Bristol Rovers respectively.
With the Champions League fixtures due to start in just under four weeks time the fixture schedule is going to be very busy for Villa. With this in mind, it could prove too difficult to only have one recognised and very inexperienced right-back in the squad.
Post match #AVFC thoughts:-
— Onkar 'Kari' Singh (@1OnkarSingh) August 24, 2024
1. Weirdly feel proud to lose with a performance like that of all ways.
2. HUGE chances missed 🥹Another day we score 3.
3. Morgan Rogers - Outstanding. Eats through opposition players
4. RB needs to be addressed over the next week
5. Unai Emery 🫡🤝
Fans are now calling for Monchi, Emery and the Villa board to address this issue in the next week ahead of the transfer deadline day. Feyenoord and Netherlands defender Lutsharel Geertruida is the most likely to join the club after talks had initially opened between the two clubs a couple of weeks ago. Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea is another name that has been mentioned alongside Joe Gomez of Liverpool but Geertruida is the more experienced at right-back than those two.
Villa fans remain positive and optimistic about the season ahead despite defeat on Saturday and there will be an even greater sense of belief should the club address the right-back issue next week.
UTV