CASH BOOST TO TOMASZ
But Villa ace BOOKED for support to pal in danger
MATTY CASH produced a cracker to ease Aston Villa away from danger – and a message of support to Ukraine-based pal Tomasz Kedziora.
The Villa defender’s first action at the Amex helped earn three vital points for Steven Gerrard’s men for only the second time in nine outings.
Part two, though, earned Poland star Cash a booking for removing his top and revealing some simple words for his new international team-mate.
It read: ‘Tomasz Kedziora and family – stay strong bro’.
Perhaps, if referee John Brooks – in charge of his third top-flight fixture – had been able to wave yellow, then blue – Ukraine’s colours – everyone might not have been deemed him a mean-spirited whistle-blower.
Surely, Premier League chief Mike Riley could have allowed his officials to show leniency in such a sensitive situation.
But afterwards Villa boss Gerrard refused to put the boot in on anyone but himself over the issue.
He said: “Listen, I’ll take responsibility for that. I should have spoken to him before the game. We’ve got to respect the situation.
“So there’s no blame on Cashy at all – and certainly not on the Premier League.
“I think they might have sent a message down beforehand but maybe I missed it because we arrived late.”
As for the vastly-improved performance, capped by Ollie Watkins’ late cracker, Gerrard was delighted.
He added: “The first strike was just outstanding from Matty and
Ollie’s deserved to win the game.
“But I was most pleased with how we controlled the game in and out of possession. “
Pre-match, the big question for Gerrard was if Brighton might do
There’s no blame on Cashy for his message but I should have spoken to him about it beforehand
another team in trouble a favour. Just as they had with their unexpected home loss to Burnley seven days earlier.
The chances seemed slim unless Graham Potter’s men, sitting snugly in mid-table, were already on the beach. The jury is still out on that.
How Villa, with all that euphoria surrounding Gerrard’s arrival in November draining away fast, would love such a feeling. Their recent return of five points from 21 meant there were only seven clear of the drop before yesterday.
Arriving late because of a road accident, delaying the kick-off by 30 minutes, was hardly the best start.
That may have contributed to their sloppy opening during which they twice came close to gifting clear chances with poor passing.
They were second best in every 50-50 challenge. Not something ex-England midfielder Gerrard appreciated as he stood with arms folded, shaking his head.
Yet all Brighton’s possession amounted to nothing and was the complete opposite when Villa finally ventured forward in the 17th minute – and scored.
The Seagulls failed to clear a freekick and Cash, from on the edge area, drilled a first-time halfvolley in off the post.
Villa’s players gathered in a huddle to prevent the officials seeing Cash remove his top. Unfortunately, it was one of the few things that did not escape their attention.
Brooks gradually lost control of proceedings as the clash became ugly and he showed nine yellows.
Villa could have been three up by the break. Jacob Ramsey was denied by Joel Veltman’s last-gap block and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez repelled Danny Ings’ shot.
The Seagulls No.1 eclipsed that after the break with a flying stop from Philippe Coutinho’s free-kick.
But the Spaniard was helpless as Tyrone Mings’ long ball fooled the Brighton rearguard, leaving Watkins to seal victory with a composed finish on the run.
Home boss Potter said: “I thought the first goal came out of nothing. It was a good strike. The second goal is disappointing because we should do better with that.”