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Matty Cash says Aston Villa will make more progress under 'top manager' Unai Emery after 'fantastic progress'
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Published 02/05/2024 at 10:46 GMT+1
Unai Emery's two years with Aston Villa have transformed the side into one of the best in the Premier League, and they look odds-on to beat Tottenham to a top-four finish and earn a UEFA Champions League spot for next season. Matty Cash praised the Spaniard as they prepared for their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos on Thursday, shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'He's so demanding' - Cash salutes 'top manager' Emery for Villa progress
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Matty Cash believes that the “demanding” Unai Emery is the reason why Aston Villa are making “fantastic progress”.
Villa are on the cusp of a rare European cup final but first they must get past Greek outfit Olympiacos in the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final.
A trophy could potentially cap off an exceptional season for Villa as they chase a top-four finish, with only Tottenham their only realistic challengers.
Emery’s arrival from Villarreal in 2022 has shown the Spaniard’s talents after a more difficult spell in his first Premier League tenure, with Arsenal.
Speaking ahead of Thursday's first leg at Villa Park, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Cash praised his club manager.
Cash scored a last-minute equaliser against Lille in the quarter-final to send the tie into extra-time and penalties, with Villa eventually progressing.
“He’s actually been more calm with us,” Cash told TNT Sports.
“He’s still really demanding, but he’s just trying to keep us in a calm mood, keep doing what we’ve been doing. But he’s so demanding, which I think is why he’s been so successful as manager.
“The detail he goes into. He gives it across so simply - how do you give across so much but make it simple for us to do on the football pitch?”
He added: “I guess that’s what the top managers do, because obviously he’s one of him. The progress we’ve made under him is fantastic. I think in two years we’ll be sitting here and I think we’ll have more, bigger progress.”
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'Wow!' - Cash rescues Villa with late goal to send tie into extra-time
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‘Nothing’s done yet’
Asked about the potential glory of a top-four spot and a Europa Conference League, Cash pointed out that they are twin demands, as well as opportunities.
He explained: “You’ll have to look at it both ways. We’re so close to achieving something great, we’re close to getting into a final, but you’ve got to focus on Olympiacos.
“On the other hand we’re in the top four but we’ve got Tottenham, who are a fantastic team who are hunting us down. We need to stay focused. Nothing’s done yet.
“We’ve got three Premier League games and this massive occasion so you can’t get too excited. That’s what the boss is good at, keeping us calm, to try to achieve that by working.”
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Highlights: VAR denies Chelsea last-gasp winner in thrilling draw at Villa
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