After serving his one-match suspension against West Brom last week, Matty Cash should come straight back into the starting line-up for Aston Villa's trip to Everton on Saturday night.

The right-back was sent off for two bookable offences in the defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League, and Dean Smith made no secret of just how disappointed he was with the summer signing.

Speaking in his post-match press conference that night, the Villa boss said: "He will be down, especially with the earful he got off me in the dressing room after.

"He will learn. He is a young lad in his first Premier League season and I think he will be a super player. But he was reckless and stupid. We won’t have many better chances of going and beating a team like Manchester City." Ahmed Elmohamady came in for Cash in the 2-2 draw against the Baggies last time out in the Premier League, and while he didn't exactly make any meaningful errors or mistakes, the latter simply has to come back in tonught.

The right-back's pace and energy on the flank has arguably rendered him Villa's unsung hero this season, and with an Everton side full of movement and power up top in the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, having someone like Cash to deal with that threat could be crucial.

It's no surprise that former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has dubbed him "sensational", while adding: "Cash has come in and he has been flawless. He has taken to the club like a duck to water. You have to give credit to the player and the recruitment department. They have obviously done their homework. He has been one of their shining lights this season."

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When Villa take on the Toffees tonight, the £65,000-a-week defender simply has to be one of the first names on the team sheet, and he could well be a game-changer for Smith as they look to pick up some much-needed momentum after their recent stutters.

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