Aston Villa’s first summer recruit Matty Cash has signed a five-year contract – and it’s fair to say the club’s supporters are buzzing about it.
The versatile right-back has joined from Nottingham Forest in a deal potentially worth £16 million with various add-ons.
Cash, meanwhile, was quick to post on social media of his own excitement, and said: “Something I’ve always dreamed of since I was a young boy to play in the Premier League, it really is a dream come true.
“I can’t wait to meet up with the squad, everyone at the club and the supporters. Up the Villa! Cashy.”
It’s widely expected Cash will be at least one of five new additions for Dean Smith, with the Forest favourite going straight in to compete with Frederic Guilbert and Ahmed Elmohamady at right-back.
Here’s how Villa supporters reacted to the news of Villa’s first one through the door at Bodymoor Heath:
Peter Wall: This is a brilliant start to Villa’s transfer Window, looking forward to seeing Matty for many seasons to come. Welcome to the Pride Matty UTV!
Dacha: Welcome Matty! Shout out to the Forest fans who have been class through this. It’s how fans of proper clubs act.
James Courten: Cash and Guilbert as right sided pairing. That excites me… make it so, Smith.
Nicola Adams: Fantastic start, now announce Ollie Watkins.
ONajib: Another signing please.
Wesley Wallace: We need a striker ASAP,
Phil: Excellent news.. at last!! Really pleased with this signing. Excited to see him play in the claret and blue. Few mates who are NFFC fans and they’re convinced he will be a top PL player & gutted to see him leave. Welcome Matt.
Paul Wright: Awesome! Make it rain with new signings!!
Alex Carter: Great signing this for Villa.
Diesel P: I’ll b more delighted when we sign some decent attacking players.
Stephen James Arnold: From one of the top traditional english giants to another welcome aboard Matty UTV.
Do you think you’re a hot hand at Fantasy Premier League? Do you back yourself to play your chips in the right gameweeks, and nail your captain every single time?
Now is your chance to prove it – and win some prizes in the process.
Reach Fantasy Football Live (RFFL) is a brand-new FPL community, which will bring you weekly tips and hints on how to get the very best out of your team from the first kick of the season until the last.
By signing up, you will also be given the code for our exclusive, private league, with the winner receiving:
£250
A 2020/21 replica football shirt of your choice
The inaugural RFFL winner’s trophy and certificate
To enter, simply sign up here. You will then receive an invite code to join the Reach Fantasy Football Live league, where you will be pitted against fellow fans, with the person who comes out on top taking home the prizes at the end of the campaign.
What’s more, you’ll receive a weekly bonus newsletter to help you in your quest to lift the RFFL trophy – and win some cash and kit.
Wise Man: And please score against West Brom again.
Jordan Strange: Inject it.
Craig Taylor-Broad: BOOM!
As for Cash, he showed his class with a departing message to the Nottingham Forest supporters, saying: “Turning up at the City Ground as a 17-year-old lad I always dreamed of playing there and to have five amazing years was a real honour.”
Here’s the best of the reaction from the Forest end, below:
Back to Villa and they remain in the hunt for Ollie Watkins and Callum Wilson, valued at £28 million and £20 million respectively by Brentford and Bournemouth.
Smith, sporting director Johan Lange and Christian Purslow are continuing to work to bring in targets with attacking players top priority. Villa’s season starts in earnest in less than a fortnight with a round-two Carabao Cup tie prior to their Premier League opener with Sheffield United on Sunday, September 20 (2pm kick-off).
