Unai Emery Dealt New Aston Villa Injury Blow Ahead Of Sunderland Clash

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Unai Emery could be without one of his key players for Aston Villa's game against Sunderland after Matty Cash suffered a concussion

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could be sweating over Matty Cash's fitness after he suffered a concussion while playing for Poland against Romania in the Nations League.

The former Nottingham Forest right-back, 29, is a key player for Villa and has started seven of their opening 10 Premier League matches this season. In total, he has made 12 appearances for Emery's side in 2026/27, though he did miss the 4-4 draw at Manchester United last time out after serving a one-match suspension for picking up five yellow cards.

But Cash might now be set for a period out injured. Indeed, after starting Poland's 2-1 defeat against Romania in Bucharest on Saturday, he was forced off in the 76th minute.

Cash was attempting to get the ball off Daniel Birligea but was caught on the chin by the arm of the Romania No.9 as he shielded the ball. After initially going down in the first half and receiving treatment, Cash was finally substituted just after Romania took a two-goal lead.

Alexandru Cicaldau had put the home side in front in the 68 minutes before Dennis Man doubled their advantage four minutes later. Although Marcel Regula pulled one back for Poland, it was too little too late to salvage a positive result from their League B, Group 4 encounter.

As for Cash, he was replaced by Arkadiusz Pyrka and is now set to return to Villa for treatment on a concussion, missing Poland's game against Sweden on Tuesday in the process.

The Polish FA posted on X on Sunday:

> “Matty Cash is leaving the ongoing Poland national team training camp due to a concussion. The defender suffered the injury during Saturday’s match against Romania in Bucharest and will be unable to play in Tuesday’s match against Sweden.”

As he left Arena Nationalia, Romania's national football stadium, Cash was stopped by Polish journalist Mateusz Borek. First, when asked if he could answer two questions, the Villa defender replied: "I've got concussion."

Borek then said: "Will you be ready for Tuesday?" before Cash replied: "No, I've got concussion."

With Cash travelling back to England on Sunday, he is expected to be assessed by Villa's medical team ahead of Saturday's crucial Premier League clash against Sunderland.

Back in 2014, The FA and the Premier League set out clear 'return to play' guidelines for players who are suspected to have suffered a concussion. Essentially, no player will be allowed to return for a competitive game for at least six days.

There is no blood test or scan which can diagnose concussion. Diagnosis is made on the basis of history and examination.

The guidelines work on a step-by-step basis, with a player only allowed to progress a step every 24 hours, although this process can often take longer.

Depending on Cash's progress, there are fears that he may miss Villa's game against Sunderland, as it falls just over six days after the first blow took place.

Should he miss out, it would be a major blow for Emery, though Taylor Harwood-Bellis could be expected to step up in his place after starting the draw at United.

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