Aston Villa receive a timely boost as Matty Cash returns to training ahead of their Europa League second leg against Lille at Villa Park
Aston Villa have been handed a timely boost ahead of their crucial Europa League clash with Lille, with Matty Cash returning to training in the build-up to Thursday night’s second leg.
Unai Emery’s side take a slender 1-0 advantage into the tie at Villa Park, knowing a place in the quarter-finals is within reach. With the stakes rising, the potential return of Cash offers a welcome lift after a disruptive spell on the sidelines.
The right-back has endured a stop-start period due to injury. After missing Premier League action against Brighton and sitting out the FA Cup defeat to Newcastle, Cash briefly returned to the side before being ruled out again for the first leg in France and the weekend loss at Manchester United.
However, his inclusion in Villa’s latest training session has sparked optimism that he could be back in contention. While no official confirmation has been given regarding his availability, the signs suggest he is nearing full fitness at a crucial moment in the season.
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 18, 2026
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Despite the positive update, Emery remained focused on the challenge ahead rather than individual fitness situations.
“The respect for this competition is massive, and the respect for the team they are as well,” he said.
“Lille, three years ago, they played the quarter-final against us in the Conference League. Last year, they played in the Champions League and they performed fantastic. And this year, they’re playing Europa League.
“And in their league, they are really being fantastic. They are now, after their last match they won as well away against Rennes, they are really being fantastic in the top positions.
“Of course, we won the first match. It’s very important, this result, but it’s not enough, I know it. And we must play now at home with our supporters, and we must play trying to carry on the same gameplan we had there,” the Aston Villa manager added.
“Of course, update everything, how they are and how we are as well, with maybe different players or maybe some injured players, but tomorrow is very important for us, this competition, how we can face them with our personality, with maturity, with our responsibility, to play in the right way.”
With Cash pushing to return and Villa holding a narrow advantage, Emery’s side will be aiming to finish the job and continue their European run in a competition their manager has a knack of winning.
