Aston Villa could soon ditch Matty Cash for ‘exciting’ gem who Unai Emery really loves
Aston Villa have a hidden jewel in their ranks in Kaine Kesler-Hayden, with the 20-year-old’s return from loan presenting a huge boost for Unai Emery’s options at right-back.
Aston Villa have suffered a host of injuries this season, leaving Unai Emery with limited room to manoeuvre his squad to rotate between competitions.
The Spaniard has seen his defence dismantled by injury throughout the campaign, starting on the first day of the season when first-choice centre-back Tyrone Mings fell victim to an ACL injury.
There has however been a boost that could prove to be beneficial to the manager this season, with academy product Kaine Kesler-Hayden back at the club after being recalled from his loan at Plymouth Argyle.
How Kaine Kesler-Hayden can boost Aston Villa
Kesler-Hayden has been a player on the cusp of a breakthrough for a number of years however, loan spells have been deemed the most appropriate route for his career to develop.
Prior to his recall, the Englishman was thriving on loan in the southwest, with journalist Chris Errington expressing how much of an “exciting prospect” the Villa starlet was during his time with Argyle.
A right-back capable of providing assured defensive cover and a presence in the final third, the Birmingham-born whiz has impressed on loans at Swindon Town, MK Dons, Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle.
With a solid amount of senior experience under his belt, it could now be time for the athletic defender to truly make his mark with his boyhood club, at a time when his side needs him.
Why the time is now for Kaine Kesler-Hayden
With Calum Chambers seemingly on his way out of Emery’s plans and Ezri Konsa injured, Matty Cash stands alone as the best option to field at right-back, although the Poland international has been far from convincing.
At fault for Manchester United’s winning goal in last week’s defeat and being wasteful in attack has left fans concerned over the 26-year-old’s suitability in the squad.
The time could be now for Kesler-Hayden to find his place in the XI, with the manager already sold on his talents and how he could provide the same service that Cash is sometimes capable of.
Speaking to the media last week, Emery made a comparison between Cash’s style of play and that of Kesler-Hayden.
“We’ve added Kaine (Kesler Hayden) to our squad because we need a player with his characteristics as a full-back. The only player who can play like that is Matty Cash. Now with Kaine, we have two.”
It was an encouraging insight from the manager to show how highly he rates the 20-year-old, opening debate as to whether he could be in line to replace Cash in the immediate future.
The former Nottingham Forest man’s performance last time out triggered alarm bells, with fans calling for him to be axed from the squad.
At a time when the best defensive options aren’t wholly available due to injury, Emery could strengthen with the players he does have to restore the quality to his side.
Having been named on the bench in Villa’s previous three fixtures, it seems as though Kesler-Hayden’s opportunity to show his worth in the Premier League could come sooner than expected.
