In front of the Argentine, Konsa and Tyrone Mings are forming a formidable partnership which has so far set the tone for some excellent defensive displays. In away wins over Fulham, Leicester<\/a> and now Arsenal, the two have stepped up to help earn some crucial points away from Villa Park this season.<\/p>\n Villa only took nine points from away fixtures last term before Project Restart kicked off in June, but after winning three of the five games so far this season on the road, Villa are making effective use of not only the absence of home fans but also some impressive individual defensive displays.<\/p>\n In Villa\u2019s fourth win at the Emirates in 14 years, Matty Targett arguably played his best 90 minutes in a Villa shirt so far<\/a>, offering support to Jack Grealish who was a constant tormentor for Hector Bellerin \u2013 a key member of an Arsenal side who only last week took three points away from Old Trafford.<\/p>\n Villa owners Nassef Sawiris<\/a> and Wes Edens are starting to see a return on their \u00a3220 million investment into a Villa side who only won promotion back to the top-flight in 2019. The club are plotting their ascent to the top of the English football ladder with shrewd recruitment and player development crucial to an ambitious five-year plan.<\/p>\n Overhauls staged in recruitment and player identification departments have shone a light on Villa\u2019s transfer dealings following the recent appointments of Sporting Director Johan Lange and talent spotter Rob Mackenzie.<\/p>\n While their tenures are still firmly in their infancy, Villa\u2019s new-look recruitment team will be afforded time to mould the desirable culture Dean Smith and Christian Purslow are working around the clock to install.<\/p>\n Impressive results away at Leicester and Arsenal, not to mention the 7-2 demolition of Premier League champions Liverpool<\/a>, has fast-tracked Villa\u2019s progress this term, even if Smith\u2019s side have only played seven games.<\/p>\n Improvements to the existing playing squad have also been crucial. Identifying a calibre of player willing to work and improve, play for the shirt and above all fit the club\u2019s ethos is no easy task, but in the case of Ezri Konsa, Villa have a gem on their hands.<\/p>\n After a year at the club, Konsa\u2019s development serves as proof that Bodymoor Heath can nurture a talent once labelled \u2018the best young centre-back in the country\u2019. Still only 22 years of age, Konsa already racked up 133 club appearances before joining Villa last year.<\/p>\n His three-year spell in the EFL with firstly Charlton, then Brentford opened the door for a lasting career at the top. By the time Konsa had turned 20, he\u2019d already made more appearances than most professionals have in their entire careers \u2013 making over 100 under four different managers.<\/p>\n So jetting off to the United States after penning a long term deal with Villa alongside his new team-mates wouldn\u2019t phase the young defender whose career has taken him from League One to Wembley cup finals in the space of two years.<\/p>\n Mature for his age, Konsa\u2019s recent performances have only been supported by the quality of goalkeeper Mart\u00ednez \u2013 who breathes confidence into a defence that shipped 67 goals last season \u2013 only Norwich City conceded more.<\/p>\n Mart\u00ednez had been banking on his chance to make an impression at Arsenal for almost ten years, waiting in the wings to take the chance promised to him for a decade. Arsene Wenger used to tell Villa\u2019s \u00a320 million goalkeeper, \u201cyou\u2019re the future of this club.\u201d<\/p>\n Mart\u00ednez\u2019s overdue audition for the Arsenal number one jersey was a timely coincidence for the 6\u20192\u2033 \u2018keeper who\u2019d used a full-size goal in his back garden to keep on his toes during the lockdown period.<\/p>\n It was more a psychological game than anything else for Mart\u00ednez<\/a> having spent the duration of his Arsenal career second or even third choice \u2013 but he wasn\u2019t going to let this opportunity pass.<\/p>\n He took it with both hands, and not only would he hold onto the gloves, but he\u2019d also be raising aloft the FA Cup and Community Shield come the end of the 2019-20 season after some sublime performances against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been at Arsenal 10, 11 years fighting for my spot. When I won the FA Cup and the Community Shield, I spoke to my family and said \u2018it\u2019s time to have a new challenge\u2019,\u201d Mart\u00ednez told arsenal.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Aston Villa gave me the opportunity to fight for the spot and play loads of Premier League games and that\u2019s why I decided to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n With no shortage of potential suitors, the lure of playing for Aston Villa, for many reasons persuaded Mart\u00ednez to leave the Emirates after a decade without regular football.<\/p>\n For Mart\u00ednez \u2013 a goalkeeper who acquitted himself very well during Project Restart and in recent loan moves in the Championship \u2013 a move to Villa, who only on the final day of last season secured Premier League safety may have seemed a backwards step.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m in the best shape of my career and when I didn\u2019t have the security of that game time, I wasn\u2019t sure about staying,\u201d Martinez told Sky Sports after leaving Arsenal.<\/p>\n \u201cMy goal is to play in Europe because I did not come here (Villa) thinking that we are going to settle for not getting relegated. My ambition is to reach the Europa League & that is my goal, my dream, that\u2019s why I work, that\u2019s why I do everything I do.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fighting to be Argentina\u2019s number one, that\u2019s my dream. Aston Villa is a massive club, I had no doubts over coming here. Everyone thinks it\u2019s a step down going from Arsenal to Villa, but I actually think it\u2019s a step up in my career.\u201d<\/p>\n For every fingertip save, commanding catch or pin-point pass, Mart\u00ednez\u2019s attitude and mentality to prove the critics wrong will remain his outstanding quality in a story that has taken him from Mar Del Plata to Villa Park \u2013 he\u2019s eager to make his next chapter with Villa a memorable one.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find those humble beginnings aren\u2019t in short measure amongst a Villa squad hungry to improve at Bodymoor Heath and results at the start of the new campaign \u2013 barring loses to Leeds and Southampton<\/a> \u2013 are evidence of it.<\/p>\n In his first four games to the new campaign that saw Villa pick up 12 points from 12, three clean sheets and a 7-2 win over Liverpool, Matty Cash has not only been a mainstay in Dean Smith\u2019s side but also a stand out from his seemingly reserved full-back role.<\/p>\n As Cash took to the pristine field at the Emirates to make his seventh start of the league season, he faced the daunting task of keeping current Premier League golden boot winner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at bay.<\/p>\n For the first time, Aubameyang played 90 minutes in a Premier League home game without attempting a shot against Villa \u2013 indeed, Aubameyang was one of only three outfield players who didn\u2019t record an attempt for Arsenal in the game, testament to Cash and Villa\u2019s organised display.<\/p>\n Cash left Nottingham Forest in the summer with all the well-wishes of a player that\u2019s stolen the hearts of a fanbase all too familiar with some of England\u2019s finest players down the years.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old who had no shortage of offers from around the Premier League will move across the Midlands to Aston Villa in a deal worth up to \u00a316 million. Dean Smith is keen to strengthen the squad that clinched Premier League survival on the final day of last season.<\/p>\n Villa were determined to land the services of Cash, who has already added versatility, plenty of quality and more importantly a desire to improve and learn under head-coach Smith. His enthusiasm, determination and versatility brands him the correct profile of player to succeed in the top-flight which seems even more likely given his \u2018every manager\u2019s dream\u2019 tag.<\/p>\n Cash may not be a household name yet<\/a> \u2013 unlike Kieran Trippier who Villa had been linked with before finally signing their man \u2013 but he fits Villa\u2019s strategy of recruiting the players with the desired player profile which is nowadays more important than ever for Smith, who is keen to embrace a new culture at Bodymoor Heath.<\/p>\n Having been released by Wycombe as a youngster, Cash emerged from the FAB football academy in Bisham before signing a three-year deal at Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n Cash is keen and willing to improve in order to not only play his part for Villa this season but improve them in ways not so obvious as first thought. John Terry has endeavoured to sharpen his defensive game while adapting to the pace and intensity for the Premier League will come with more game-time under his belt.<\/p>\n An enthusiastic individual on the training pitch also, Cash could\u2019ve kicked up a fuss when former coach, Sabri Lamouchi \u2013 new to the Championship managing game \u2013 ordered him to step into the full-back role, away from his preferred role, one he\u2019d been developing in for numerous years. Though his response was a breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n Taking on the responsibility for the team, flourishing in a position where he can still break the lines, attack and defend with versatility \u2013 eye-catching performances last season weren\u2019t few and far between, in fact, quite the opposite.<\/p>\n His work-rate has rarely been beaten throughout 90 minutes during his Premier League showings this term. He epitomises the \u2018modern full-back\u2019 role with an appetite to influence the game from his deeper-lying position.<\/p>\n Rarely will you hear a bad word said about Cash, his temperament, attitude and focus is testament to his character, and his overall game is all the better for it. His athletic efficiencies are also evidently helping out Villa this season and certainly, they\u2019ve helped him personally adapt to the top-flight.<\/p>\n Cash holds all the attributes to be a success, and with the opportunities, Smith will hand him, he\u2019ll more than likely take them too having earned the chance of making it in the Premier League. With four-five impressive wins from seven so far, Cash, Mart\u00ednez and Konsa have all been a major part of Villa\u2019s early season form.<\/p>\n The post Aston Villa becoming away day specialists<\/a> appeared first on AVFC – Avillafan.com – Aston Villa Fansite, Blog, & Forum..<\/a>.<\/p>\nAston Villa confident with Emi Mart\u00ednez wearing #1<\/h3>\n
![\"Emi](\"http:\/\/www.avillafan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Martinez-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMatty Cash quickly adapting to the Premier League<\/h3>\n
![\"Matty](\"http:\/\/www.avillafan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Matty-Cash.jpg\")
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