The centre-back scored a sumptuous volley to help David O'Leary's side to a crucial 3-1 derby victory against Birmingham on Saturday, and believes it could provide a platform for a strong finish to the season. "Hopefully we're ready to crack on again tonight, because we want another good result," he said. "We can enjoy it now because people aren't talking about relegation anymore. But the lads want to finish as high up the league as possible." There may be no European place at stake but with each rung in the Premiership ladder worth £500,000 in prize money, the difference between finishing 16th and 12th is a lucrative bonus of £2m.
That money could go towards Cahill's wage, with the player stalling on signing a new contract, although he believes it is not a preoccupation. "It's more important for me to play in the Premiership and if you do then the money comes anyway," the 19-year-old continued. "The contract is not even in my mind. I'm more than happy at Villa and if I keep being consistent then everything else will take care of itself."