Aston Villa defender Matty Cash has lifted the lid on manager Unai Emery's unique and intense management style, admitting some of his methods "sound mad" but are clearly delivering spectacular results.
The 'Mad' Method Behind Villa's Surge
Cash revealed that Emery's approach changes dramatically depending on the team's form. According to the right-back, when Villa were struggling earlier in the season, the Spanish coach deliberately took pressure off his squad. "He almost lifted that pressure off us and might not be as intense," Cash told Sky Sports.
However, the dynamic shifts completely when the team starts winning. "But when we started winning, yeah, it can be really intense, you know," Cash explained. "Just the meetings go up, the details go up, the training demands go up." He described Emery as a manager who "wants so much success at the club" and pushes everyone harder during positive spells.
Victory Over Arsenal Speaks Volumes
Cash's comments follow a dramatic 2-1 victory over league leaders Arsenal at Villa Park. The win on Saturday, sealed by Emi Buendia's last-gasp goal, was Villa's ninth triumph in their last ten Premier League matches.
Cash himself opened the scoring in the 35th minute, finishing smartly after a Pau Torres assist, before Leandro Trossard equalised for Arsenal. The late winner means Villa have now closed the gap to the top of the table to just three points, marking a stunning run of 13 wins in 15 matches since a 1-1 draw at Sunderland in September.
Emery's Demands Will Only Increase
Looking ahead, Cash indicated that the manager's famous intensity is set to ramp up further as Villa eye a Champions League place. He shared Emery's philosophy on the league table: "The boss always says he doesn't look too much at the league table. When you get to the 30-game mark, that's when you can look if you're around the Champions League spots."
"In the first half of the season you have to add up the three points and stay consistent," Cash continued. "After 30 games you can look at where you might finish and that's when we get even more demanding with ourselves."
Cash, who is approaching 200 Premier League appearances, also reflected on the rising standards of the competition itself, noting that the demands, particularly around set-pieces, have "gone to another level." For now, Villa's focus remains on maintaining their remarkable momentum under a manager whose 'mad' methods are making perfect sense.
