Douglas Luiz will miss Aston Villa’s Premier League meeting with Burnley through suspension and Ross Barkley could also miss Thursday’s clash as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so Dean Smith might have to consider recalling one of Conor Hourihane or Marvelous Nakamba to the fold.
Luiz was given a second yellow card in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, duly receiving a one-match ban which rules him out of tomorrow’s match. Barkley is in the mend but won’t be 100%, so it seems unlikely he will start against the Clarets.
Luiz’s absence will require a steely presence to be brought in, so Nakamba could make his first league start of the season. The 26-year-old has made six appearances in all competitions but has amassed a paltry 13 minutes of Premier League football this term (Transfermarkt)
He has found himself behind Luiz, John McGinn and Barkley in the pecking order but has some attributes Smith may want in midfield. Last season, Nakamba made 55 tackles and 39 interceptions in 29 league games, so he is arguably the best option to turn over possession in midfield.
Smith also has a decision to make whether to stick or twist with Jacob Ramsey against Burnley. The 19-year-old fared well against Wolves but is still inexperienced and may need his minutes managed, so Hourihane might be a safer option.
In other news, a reported Aston Villa target has joined a new club, with a former Villa Park player among his team-mates.
