Matty Cash says Aston Villa was only club for him despite AC Milan interest after £16m transfer from Nottingham Forest

MATTY CASH says he is ready to go from Siro to hero – after completing his £16million move to Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old Nottingham Forest full-back was a shock target for Italian aces AC Milan in the January transfer window until Forest pulled the plug on the deal to focus on their promotion push.

Matty Cash says his heart was set on a move to the Premier League despite interest from AC Milan

But the Slough-born defender says even the lure of life in Italy’s fashion-capital Milan couldn’t compete with the prospect of strutting his stuff in the Premier League with Villa.

Cash, who also had a £6m move to German giants RB Leipzig rejected by Forest three seasons ago, says signing for former European champs Villa was a no-brainer once Dean Smith made his move.

He said: “My agent rang me and said that Villa were interested, and immediately it was the place I wanted to come to.

“I said, ‘Don’t even worry about anywhere else, I want to come here and play.’

“It’s such a big football club, from the fanbase to the stadium. Every time I played at Villa Park before it just sold itself to me.

“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family, and I can’t wait to get started. Playing for such a big club is going to be brilliant.”

Villa beat Premier rivals Fulham and Sheffield United, as well as heading off interest from the continent to land the attacking right-back, who became a huge fans’ favourite after clocking up more than 120 league appearances for Forest.

Smith said: “We believe we have secured one of England’s brightest young prospects and are delighted to welcome Matty to Villa.

The defender made 141 appearances for Nottingham Forest before completing his £16m switch to Aston Villa

“He has an excellent playing record for a young player and we believe he will settle in easily and continue his rapid development into a top full-back.”

Cash was the runaway winner of Forest’s Player of the Year award and has starred in several positions during his six-year stay at the City Ground, where he scored 13 goals in 141 games across all competitions.

He told AVTV: “It’s been a crazy journey from the age of 17, getting released at Wycombe Wanderers to kicking on.

“I had a very good five years at Forest and I can’t thank them enough – they were very good to me.

“Signing for Villa is a huge moment, and I want to thank everyone who’s supported me. I’m coming off a good season and I’m ready to take that into the Premier League with Villa.”

Villa have paid Forest an initial fee of £14million which could rise to £16million with add-ons.

They will now push on and try to add a couple of strikers in the shape of Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson and Ollie Watkins from Brentford.