Matty Cash should land extended ban as Aston Villa-Tottenham controversy analysed again – pundit
Aston Villa star Matty Cash should have seen red against Tottenham after his “reckless” scissor challenge “endangered” Matt Doherty.
That is the view of former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider in the wake of Spurs’ 4-0 win over Steven Gerrard’s side.
Cash, 24, was not shown a caution after a strong challenge on Doherty in the first half of Saturday’s (9 April) encounter, which eventually resulted in the Tottenham man limping off.
The full-back was replaced by Sergio Reguilon, and as reported by Sky Sports (11 April), has suffered a medial collateral ligament injury which will keep him out for the rest of the season – and beyond.
Whelan insisted Cash wasn’t in “full control” with his “dangerous” lunge.
“It was a very aggressive first-half, and I think that’s what Steven Gerrard will have wanted,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’ll have wanted to get right in the faces of the Tottenham players, not giving them any time or space.
“I think Tottenham proved that they were up for the battle, they certainly weren’t shying away from any tackles.
“However, the tackle from Cash was dangerous. He gets the ball, but under the letter of the law – he wasn’t in full control. The follow-through is reckless.
“He went in with two feet, and that is cause to bring out a red card.
“It sits right on that borderline, for me, and Spurs definitely had a case for Cash to be sent off.
“That is endangering a player, and we’ve seen the affer-effects from that with Doherty’s injury.”
21 Premier League points separate fourth-place Tottenham and 12th-place Aston Villa.
Doherty had been in fine form for Spurs, scoring two and assisting four since New Year’s Day.
In other news, pundit tips Aston Villa to sign “next Christian Benteke” after confirmed news.