Aston Villa star Matty Cash is preparing for an emotional return to Nottingham Forest.

The two clubs go head to head in the Premier League on Monday.

The Poland international, who made his breakthrough as a professional at Forest, now returns to the club with Villa.

He has admitted that he will never forget how much academy manager Gary Brazil helped him as a youngster at the time.

“It will be emotional going back but I will be more excited than ever to play there," he told the Mirror.

"I had a really good time at Forest and came through the academy.

“It played a massive part in my career. We had a decent academy team with Ryan Yates, Joe Worrall, Oliver Burke, Tyler Walker and a close group.

“We all played in the FA Youth Cup and did well and then broke into the first team together. When I left it was an agreement all parties came to. Taking the opportunity to come to the Premier League wasn't something I could turn down and for Forest, they needed money at the time.

“I am thankful for my time there and especially Gary who brought me through. I loved it there and since I have left I've always wanted to go back. I said thanks to everyone when I left but I have never actually been back to play there. I think I will get a good reception as a lot of Forest fans message me all the time.

“They played a big part in my life and I am like a Forest fan really but I want to beat them on Monday obviously. The City Ground atmosphere will be great but hopefully we can silence them.

“I have played there enough times to know as an away team it is a tough place to go wherever they are in the league. Cooper has done an amazing job getting them promoted , it came out of no-where really. But they have signed a lot of players in a short space of time and it might take them a little while to gel."