---
title: "Marvelous Nakamba answered critics with redemptive display against Newcastle"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/25/marvelous-nakamba-answered-critics-performance-newcastle/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-01-25T14:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-25T14:00:00Z"
---

# Marvelous Nakamba answered critics with redemptive display against Newcastle

Aston Villa enjoyed a comfortable [2-0 win over Newcastle United](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/Aston-Villa-2-0-Newcastle-United/) on Saturday night and [Marvelous Nakamba](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/31/aston-villa-must-upgrade-nakamba-in-january/) stood out with his performance at Villa Park.

The 27-year-old was given the nod in midfield as [John McGinn was suspended after picking up five yellow cards](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/21/dean-smith-fumes-over-pathetic-john-mcginn-yellow-card-suspended/), but his absence was barely felt as Villa put the Magpies to the sword without ever looking in danger of losing their early lead.

Read Aston Villa [recently suggested](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/31/aston-villa-must-upgrade-nakamba-in-january/) that Nakamba might need upgrading upon in the January transfer market due to a [lack of playing time](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marvelous-nakamba/leistungsdaten/spieler/324882), and numerous supporters have been [critical](https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/aston-villa/aston-villa-fans-slam-marvelous-nakambas-performance-against-leicester) of his performances in the past, but he silenced his detractors over the weekend.

Against Newcastle, Nakamba had 77 touches, won one header, completed 98.5% of his 67 passes, had one shot, won two tackles, recorded two interceptions, made one clearance and won one free kick. \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485256/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-Newcastle-United)\]

Alongside Douglas Luiz in midfield, the Zimbabwe international helped to limit Newcastle to only [41% possession and just one shot on target](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55096964). The Magpies had Jeff Hendrick, Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey in the engine room, but Hendrick and Shelvey failed to win a tackle while Hendrick and Almiron did not record an interception \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485256/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-Newcastle-United)\].

### READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT

Prior to Saturday, Nakamba hadn’t made a Premier League appearance [since mid-December](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marvelous-nakamba/leistungsdaten/spieler/324882), but he showed little signs of rustiness against Newcastle.

Indeed, he made the most of a rare opportunity to prove his worth to Dean Smith and answer those of us who had questioned whether he would have much of a role to play for Aston Villa going forward.