Ollie Watkins reacts to Matty Cash’s update as Aston Villa double-exit beckons
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was active in response to Matty Cash’s latest update, as speculation continues to grow over the futures of both players.
Aston Villa narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day of the season, but will feature in the Europa League next term.
The club’s financial situation has also come under scrutiny, but Aston Villa’s last-minute sale of their women’s team before the 30 June accounting deadline helped raise much-needed funds.
Even with that boost, they are still expected to see several first-team departures this summer.
Football Insider revealed that Aston Villa are now willing to accept offers for Cash, with any incoming funds set to be reinvested in a replacement.
Watkins is another player whose future remains uncertain, with questions over his role under Unai Emery last season. Both Manchester United and Arsenal have shown an interest in the striker ahead of a potential summer move.
While Cash’s situation is yet to be resolved, his latest post on social media was well received by teammates, including Watkins, whose response has only further fuelled speculation around the pair.
Matty Cash shares holiday and training update amid Aston Villa exit links
Cash posted an update on Instagram showing a mix of holiday downtime and time on the training pitch, captioned: “Lil bit of everything”.
The post drew plenty of support, with Watkins, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana among those who liked it. Fellow Premier League stars Declan Rice and James Maddison also reacted with likes.
Despite Aston Villa making Cash available for transfer, Football Insider revealed that his £100,000-per-week wages have proven to be a stumbling block for interested clubs.
Cash joined Villa Park from Nottingham Forest in 2020 but has now been deemed surplus to requirements following a dip in form and persistent injury issues.
The defender suffered four separate injuries last season, missing a total of 18 matches — a potential concern for clubs considering a move.
| Season | Matches missed | Days injured |
| 2024/25 | 18 | 80 |
| 2023/24 | 10 | 58 |
| 2022/23 | 12 | 67 |
Man United hit obstacle in Ollie Watkins transfer chase
With Cash expected to leave this summer, teammate Watkins may also be on his way out.
Although Ruben Amorim’s side have shown interest in the striker, Football Insider reported that Manchester United will look to sell Rasmus Hojlund before launching a move for Watkins to raise funds.
However, the Red Devils could face further difficulty as the Englishman remains Aston Villa’s only natural striker, and the club are likely to secure a replacement before sanctioning any sale.