06 October 2023 , 16:00
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Matty Cash has revealed how Prince William is now treated as ‘one of the lads’ in Aston Villa’s dressing-room.
The club’s right-back says there are no heirs and graces when the future king steps into the inner sanctum at Villa Park. The Prince of Wales gave a pep talk to Unai Emery’s squad before the club’s Europa Conference group game against Zrinjski Mostar - and popped in afterwards to offer his congratulations after John McGinn’s last-gasp header felled the Bosnians.
His Royal Highness watched the game sat in the Trinity Road stand alongside crocked England international Tyrone Mings. Asked afterwards how he enjoyed the game, he said: “Very happy - one-nil is good.”
Cash was more forthcoming, saying: “Prince William loves it here. He had a few words with us before kick-off - and afterwards. He told us that normally when he’s at home, he’s shouting and screaming at the television.
“Here, he’s a bit calmer. I’m sure at the end, he was going crazy like everyone. To be fair, we hear from him quite a bit because he comes to training.
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“He’s just a really good guy. He speaks to us like normal guys and we treat him that way when he comes. He knows all our names - our nicknames - everything. He is a proper supporter who just likes to be out and around the lads. He’s just a massive Villa fan.”
Asked if Mings would have to mind his manners around the future king, Cash added: “Ty speaks to him quite a bit, I think. I think they both had a good night.”
Villa’s progress under Emery means they are having to come to terms with the quick turnaround in games. They managed to beat Chelsea following their last European excursion - a defeat against Legia Warsaw - that has made qualification from Group E far trickier.
John McGinn scored a late winner to get Aston Villa's European campaign off and running (PA Wire)It was looking more difficult still as a determined second-half rearguard action by the Bosnians was ended by McGinn’s late intervention. But Wolves lie in wait at Molineux on Sunday, fresh from an uninterrupted week’s training ahead of a West Midlands derby that, if recent past encounters are anything to go by, will be a feisty affair.
Cash added: “The manager said before the game however it goes, whatever happens, just make sure you win - however you play, get it done. We got it done, so it was a good night in the end.
“It was a must-win game for us. If we hadn’t won it, it would have been tricky. We have to win our home games because we know the away trips will be difficult.
“Now, we’ve got another game in two days. They’re coming at us thick and fast. I feel like I’ve only just left Villa Park after the Brighton game - but that’s what you want as a player - loads of games - and fortunately I’m playing at the moment.
“We know Wolves will be full of confidence. They’re obviously coming off the back of a win against Manchester City. But we’re three in a row in the Premier League - so hopefully we can keep it going and get to four.”