As Jack Grealish settles in at Manchester City, Aston Villa could be forgiven for a sense of trepidation over the new season without their creative talisman.
But right-back Matty Cash says the side's defensive prowess was a major factor in their consolidation in the Premier League last season.
He revealed Villa's backline, in front of Argentina's Copa America-winning hero Emiliano Martinez, have been working hard in pre-season to ensure that continues.
Keeper Martinez kept 15 clean sheets last term as only Ederson and Edouard Mendy enjoyed more in the top-flight.
Now Cash is confident Villa can again operate a mean defence under boss Dean Smith, whose side finished 11th last term.
And he believes their £85million spree on Ashley Young, Danny Ings, Emiliano Buendia and Leon Bailey will help offset the record £100m sale of attacking ace Grealish.
Ahead of Saturday's opener at Watford, Cash assessed: “Last year we had a really good season.
“First of all we had so many clean sheets. Pre-season we have been working on a lot of unit work to keep the same structure again. That is going to be a big part of us being successful again this season.
“Emi continued the form he did all season into the Copa America. And hopefully we can too because we want to finish as high as we can.
“We have real ambition. The owners are bringing in players as you can see. Last season was a good stepping stone and hopefully this season we can have a bit more progress.”
Cash helped Villa be mean on the pitch and he is going to huge lengths to stay lean off it. The star has even employed a personal chef to cook for him at home.
Cash revealed: “I can cook and I do sometimes on the weekends. But it is better to have it done and he is brilliant.
“I love sushi definitely. But after games I try to eat a lot of fatty food to get it back into me. He does a nice burger after a game.
“In the week I normally sit down with the Villa nutritionalist and go through my schedule.
“It is good because the nutritionalist tells me what I should be eating. If we have a hard day's training, I have a bit more food. If I have a lower day, I mix my carbs up. I try and do everything I can off the pitch to make sure I am in the best possible shape on it.”
Cash impressed on his debut season in the top-flight with 28 starts and two assists after joining from Nottingham Forest for £16million in September 2020.
He believes there is plenty of other talent in the Championship capable of making the step up.
But he hopes his own rise is not yet over as he eyes a potential England call-up.
Cash said: “I played in the Championship over a number of seasons. The quality in there is very high.
“Hopefully it gives other players more ambition to try and get to the Premier League. I have loved it but England is every boy's dream.”
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