---
title: "Nakamba in, Ramsey out? Dean Smith has two key decisions to make vs Burnley"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/16/nakamba-in-ramsey-out-dean-smith-has-two-key-decisions-to-make-vs-burnley/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2020-12-16T10:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-12-16T10:00:00Z"
---

# Nakamba in, Ramsey out? Dean Smith has two key decisions to make vs Burnley

Douglas Luiz will miss Aston Villa’s Premier League meeting with Burnley through [suspension](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php) and Ross Barkley could also miss Thursday’s clash as he is still [recovering from a hamstring injury](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/The-Presser-Smith-speaks-ahead-of-Burnley/), so [Dean Smith](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/15/dean-smith-provides-positive-injury-update-on-heaton-hause-and-guilbert/) might have to consider recalling one of Conor Hourihane or Marvelous Nakamba to the fold.

Luiz was given a [second yellow card](https://www.skysports.com/football/wolves-vs-a-villa/report/428956) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marvelous-nakamba/leistungsdaten/spieler/324882))

He has found himself behind [Luiz, John McGinn and Barkley](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/leistungsdaten/verein/405) in the pecking order but has some attributes Smith may want in midfield. Last season, Nakamba made [55 tackles and 39 interceptions](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/243249/History/Marvelous-Nakamba) 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](https://www.sofascore.com/aston-villa-wolverhampton/dsP) 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](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/16/fabio-borini-makes-transfer-decision-will-link-up-with-former-villa-ace/).***