Matty Cash may have just aimed a dig at Dean Smith by telling Sky Sports that Aston Villa now have an established style of play after Steven Gerrard replaced the Norwich City boss.
The Villans fired Smith after three-years at the club on November 7, following five-straight Premier League defeats. He then resurfaced at Carrow Road after just 12-days out of work.
Villa swiftly moved to lure Gerrard back south of the border from Rangers, where he won the Premiership last season. The 41-year-old has since overseen six games at the helm, with the Birmingham side winning four around defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Smith had signed Cash from Nottingham Forest during his time as Aston Villa manager. The Villa Park natives paid £14m for the Poland international in 2020, which could rise to £16m.
Cash was a favourite under Smith, too, with 40 appearances from 42 available games when in the squad. He repaid the coach’s faith with one goal and three assists in all competitions.
The Slough-born 24-year-old has stayed a mainstay in Birmingham under Gerrard, as well. He has played every minute of Aston Villa’s six games so far under the England legend.
Cash explains differences between Smith and Gerrard’s Aston Villa
Cash is yet to score or provide an assist since Gerrard replaced Smith as Aston Villa head coach. But the two-cap full-back has seen clear differences in how the two managers play.
“We’ve definitely got a different way [of playing now],” Cash said. “Maybe getting tighter, together and shifting as a team, which makes it really hard for other teams against us.
“So, people are seeing what we’re about. [Gerrard’s] brought a lot really. A lot of intensity in training, energy to our play – we’ve got a style of play, attacking football. So, a lot of change, and it has really benefited us.”
Cash only scored his first Aston Villa goal during their 3-0 win over Everton in September. The right-back charged down the wing to catch Lucas Digne unalert, collected possession from Douglas Luiz and struck a stunning shot past Asmir Begovic to break the deadlock.
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