Ahmed Elmohamady has admitted that he could have left Aston Villa over the summer but the Premier League outfit ‘refused’ to let the Egypt international go, while speaking to Al-Nahar TV.
Almost three months into the new Premier League season, Dean Smith’s high-flying side are sitting pretty in sixth, three points off top spot with a game in hand, after destroying both Arsenal and Liverpool by an aggregate score of 10-2.
While much of the credit has gone to Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley and Ollie ‘six goals in seven games’ Watkins, a £15 million man signed from Nottingham Forest in September has certainly made an impact too.
Matty Cash might have endured miserable afternoons against Leeds and Southampton but, for the most part, the all-action right-back has been a big hit at both ends of the pitch.
Cash’s form has restricted veteran Elmohamady to just 33 minutes of football in 2020/21, with the former Sunderland and Hull City man now facing an uncertain future at Villa Park.
“I had offers at the start of the season but Aston Villa refused to let me go. I also refused because I wanted to stay with the team,” the 33-year-old full-back explained.
“Aston Villa is a historic team in England and I’m happy to be part of this club, I feel like I’m at the right place. Whether I play or not fully depends on the coaching staff but I know it will come with time and effort.”
Elmohamady might have lost his starting place but the 87-capped international at least appears to be ahead of Frederic Guilbert in the pecking order.
While the latter is nowhere to be seen at the moment, the former has been included in every matchday squad this season, starting all three of Villa’s EFL Cup matches.
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