Barcelona vs Aston Villa: Why Matty Cash’s battle with Anthony Gordon catches the eye at 4/1

Aston Villa face one of their toughest tests of the Champions League campaign when they travel to Barcelona on Tuesday night, with Hansi Flick's side boasting an extraordinary attacking record despite a couple of recent setbacks.

Barca have won 12 of their 14 matches this season and scored 57 goals, although defeats to PSG and Real Madrid have exposed some vulnerabilities. They returned to winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both scoring twice.

Villa have made a perfect start in Europe, but Matty Cash could be in for a difficult evening against Barcelona's dangerous forward line. Anthony Gordon, in particular, looks capable of making life uncomfortable for the Poland international.

Back Matty Cash to be booked against Barcelona

Cash is expected to start at Camp Nou after picking up his fifth Premier League booking of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Fulham. That suspension rules him out of Sunday's trip to Manchester United, meaning there is little reason for Villa to rest him in Catalonia.

The long-serving right-back could face Gordon, who has been fouled in each of his last four starts for Barcelona. The former Newcastle United winger was also fouled an average of 1.5 times per game in the Premier League last season, including three times across two meetings with Villa.

Cash featured in both of those encounters and committed three fouls, suggesting the potential for another uncomfortable individual battle.

The defender's disciplinary record this season adds further encouragement. Since Villa's UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG, he has averaged 1.89 fouls per 90 minutes, including ten across his last four starts.

Gordon's direct running and ability to draw contact could make that a particularly difficult assignment, while Cash may also have to contend with Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi and Yamal throughout the contest.

With Barcelona's attacking quality likely to put Villa's defence under sustained pressure, Cash could find himself committing fouls to slow down the hosts' forward players.

At 4/1, the booking market looks an appealing option.

Barcelona vs Aston Villa best bets

Matty Cash to be carded – 4/1 (5.00) with 10bet, 7/2 (4.50) with William Hill

Cash has averaged almost two fouls per 90 minutes this season and faces a Barcelona attack packed with players capable of drawing contact. His potential duel with Gordon makes the 4/1 price particularly tempting.

Matty Cash to be carded, Matty Cash two or more fouls and Anthony Gordon to be fouled two or more times – 7/1 (8.00) with Paddy Power and Betfair

This bet builder brings together three closely related markets. Gordon has been fouled in each of his last four starts, while Cash's recent foul numbers suggest he could be busy trying to contain Barcelona's wide attackers. If that individual battle develops as expected, all three selections have a realistic chance of landing.