"Why would you want to leave Aston Villa?"- Danny Mills urges 24-year-old to stay with Steven Gerrard's side and snub La Liga move
Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills has urged Aston Villa defender Matty Cash to stay at Villa Park amidst interest from Atletico Madrid. The Poland international has caught the attention of a number of Europe's top clubs in recent months thanks to his performances for Steven Gerrard's side.
Matty Cash joined Aston Villa from Nottingham Forrest in the summer of 2020 in a deal worth £14 million. The right-back enjoyed an impressive debut campaign with the club, making 28 Premier League appearances and helping the Villains finish 11th in the league table. Cash has grown from strength to strength this season.
He has scored three goals and provided three assists in 27 league appearances for Villa. His performances have caught the attention of Atletico Madrid, who are believed to be keen to sign him this summer.
Mills, however, believes Cash should stay at Aston Villa and be part of Steven Gerrard's project with the club rather than join a foreign club that is in a 'state of flux' at the moment'.
"It's a risk going abroad if you don't speak the language. Kirena Trippier did well over there an won La Liga. Atletico are in a little bit of a state of flux at the moment. Why would you want to leave Aston Villa? They've got some really good signings in, a really good young manager doing well and the money to go to the next level," Mills told Football Insider.
He added:
"If they get Coutinho in permanently, you've already got the likes of Ollie Watkins in there too. They brought in Lucas Digne as well. Everybody has had a lift from Coutinho and Gerrard. A couple more signings and there's no reason why they can't challenge for the top-six."
Aston Villa signed Lucas Digne from Everton for £25 million, and Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona until the end of the season during the January transfer window. The club are reportedly eager to exercise their option to buy Coutinho for £33 million this summer.
Aston Villa are likely to back Steven Gerrard financially during the summer transfer window as the club have shown signs of improvement on the pitch and are seemingly heading in the right direction. They currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League table and have won three consecutive games in the league.
| @pgr_analytics Why Aston Villa must do everything they can to keep their £40m ace 👀 | @pgr_analytics
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Aston Villa star Matty Cash could follow in the footsteps of former Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier made a shock move to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth £20 million in the summer of 2019. Despite being a regular starter for a 'top-six' Premier League club, Trippier was reportedly keen to join a team that would give him a chance to play in the Champions League and win trophies.
He played a key role in Atletico Madrid's La Liga triumph last season. Trippier's impressive performances for Diego Simeone's side earned him a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2020 last summer.
Atletico Madrid are plotting a swoop for Aston Villa defender Matty Cash this summer | @SamiMokbel81_DM & @TomCollomosse
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Matty Cash might therefore look to follow in the footsteps of Trippier by making the move to one of Europe's top clubs.