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MattyCash
PLEN

Right-back, Aston Villa, Nº2

MattyCash

Aston Villa right-back and Poland international. The road from Slough to a Europa League final in Istanbul, told from the sources.

Read the story Biography
Matty Cash celebrates his goal for Poland against the Netherlands
© Flashscore
Age:29
Number:2
Poland caps:29
Next matchPremier LeagueNewcastle
v
Aston VillaSat:17/10Kick-off:18:30

When he was 14, Wycombe shut its youth teams. He kept training and worked in a department store. In 2020 Aston Villa paid £14m for him, and in 2026 he won the Europa League with them.

From Slough to Istanbul

  1. 1997SloughBorn here on 7 August 1997. He grew up in Wycombe Wanderers' academy.
  2. 2014NottinghamForest spotted him in 2014. He arrived as a winger, and the fans voted him Player of the Season for 2019-20 as a right-back.
  3. 2016DagenhamA loan in League Two. His first senior goal came on 12 March 2016, against Hartlepool.
  4. 2020BirminghamAston Villa paid £14m for him. He was the club's Player of the Season for 2021-22.
  5. 2021WarsawConfirmed his Polish citizenship on 26 October 2021 and won his first cap in Andorra on 12 November.
  6. 2026IstanbulPlayed all 90 minutes of the Europa League final on 20 May 2026. Villa beat Freiburg 3-0.

On the pitch and off it

Season by season

Every season is a chapter of the chronicle. The numbers are league games and goals from Wikipedia, and assists from Understat (from 2020-21).

  1. PrologueSlough, Wycombe, Bisham AbbeyFrom Siberia to SloughBefore Matthew Stuart Cash pulled on the shirt of Aston Villa and the Poland national team, his family undertook an extraordinary journey through Siberia, Iran and Great Britain, while he had to bounce back from the heartache of rejection in youth football.Read the chapter 12 moments in the chronicle
  2. 2015/16Dagenham & RedbridgeFirst Steps in Senior FootballIn the spring of 2015, a young Nottingham Forest midfielder set out on his first senior loan to League Two.League Two12 games3 goalsRead the chapter 5 moments in the chronicle
  3. 2016/17Nottingham ForestBreakthrough and bad luck in the ChampionshipThe 2016–17 season brought Matty Cash a professional contract, his Nottingham Forest first-team debut, and a severe injury at Villa Park.Championship28 games0 goalsRead the chapter 5 moments in the chronicle
  4. 2017/18Nottingham ForestBreakthrough season in NottinghamThe 2017–18 campaign was a period of hard-fought battles for a place in the Nottingham Forest squad in the Championship.Championship23 games2 goalsRead the chapter 5 moments in the chronicle
  5. 2018/19Nottingham ForestA Breakthrough Season at ForestThe 2018–19 campaign brought Matty Cash regular playing time and a series of vital goals for Nottingham Forest in the EFL Championship.Championship36 games6 goalsRead the chapter 12 moments in the chronicle
  6. 2019/20Nottingham ForestThe Breakthrough Season at Right-BackThe 2019–20 campaign with Nottingham Forest changed the course of Matty Cash's career as he permanently shifted from the wing to right-back.Championship42 games3 goalsRead the chapter 8 moments in the chronicle
  7. 2020/21Aston VillaPremier League BaptismOn 21 September 2020, Matty Cash made his debut for Aston Villa, starting his first season in the English top flight.Premier League28 games0 goals2 assistsRead the chapter 8 moments in the chronicle
  8. 2021/22Aston VillaBreakthrough and Recognition in 2021–22The 2021–22 season brought Matty Cash his Poland debut, his first goal at Villa Park, and Aston Villa's Player of the Season award.Premier League38 games4 goals3 assistsRead the chapter 14 moments in the chronicle
  9. 2022/23Aston VillaSurvival and MetamorphosisThe 2022–23 season brought Matty Cash on-pitch twists, a managerial change at Aston Villa, and international challenges.Premier League26 games0 goals1 assistRead the chapter 4 moments in the chronicle
  10. 2023/24Aston VillaThe Hero of Lille and Euro HeartbreakA milestone brace at Turf Moor, breaking an eight-year FA Cup curse, and a dramatic late strike in France – followed by the shock of missing Euro 2024.Premier League29 games2 goals2 assistsRead the chapter 12 moments in the chronicle
  11. 2024/25Aston VillaChampions League nights and the battle for the squadThe 2024–25 season brought Matty Cash his debut in the elite Champions League, appearances on English pitches, and a return to goals for the Poland national team.Premier League27 games1 goal1 assistRead the chapter 11 moments in the chronicle
  12. 2025/26Aston VillaEuropean Glory and Club RecognitionThe 2025–26 season brought Matty Cash historic European silverware and recognition as Aston Villa's player of the season.Premier League35 games3 goals3 assistsRead the chapter 22 moments in the chronicle
  13. 2026/27Aston VillaA season of contrasts and injuryThe 2026–27 campaign brought Matty Cash a prestigious UEFA Super Cup appearance, alongside painful injuries and a battle to regain peak form for both Aston Villa and the Poland national team.Premier League5 games0 goals0 assistsRead the chapter 10 moments in the chronicle

Aston Villa

On the right of Villa's defence since September 2020. Player of the Season in 2021-22, under contract until 2029, Europa League winner in 2026.

Aston Villa league goals:10
Career
188Aston Villa league apps

Aston Villa, since 2020

Claretandblue

Signed from Nottingham Forest in September 2020. Right-back, number 2 on his back.

Poland, since 2021

Whiteandred

Citizenship in October 2021, and a first cap a month later in Andorra.

29Poland caps
4Poland goals

Poland

His mother was born in Britain to Polish emigrants; his grandmother Janina came from Brańsk. First Poland goal: 11 June 2022, a 2-2 draw away to the Netherlands.

National team

Slough 1997Nottingham 2014Birmingham 2020

Andorra 2021Qatar 2022Istanbul 2026

Matty Cash roars in a Poland shirt
© Getty Images / GOAL

Matches

When17OctKick-off18:30Saturday, Warsaw timePremier League · AwayNewcastle v Aston VillaNext match
  1. 14/102026Aston VillaFenerbahçe6-0UEFA Champions LeagueMatty Cash played the full 90 minutes as Aston Villa thrashed Fenerbahçe 6–0 in the Champions League on 14 October 2026. Read his match report.
  2. 10/102026Aston VillaBrentford2-2Premier LeagueMatty Cash started at right-back in Aston Villa's 2–2 Premier League draw against Brentford. Read the match summary and fitness update.
  3. 19/092026TottenhamAston Villa2-3Premier League
  4. 23/082026Brighton & Hove AlbionAston Villa4-0Premier League
All matches

News

Video

"IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL STAY WITH YOU FOREVER" | Matty Cash's Post-Match ReactionAston Villa Football Club
Golo de Matty Cash | Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal | Premier League 25/26DAZN Portugal
Matty Cash Stuns Man City! Aston Villa’s Tactical Masterclass | 1-0 Victory at Villa Park 🔥"FACT OF FOOTBALL 2.0
All videos