Aston Villa travel to face Brighton on Saturday and Dean Smith has a decision to make on who to start in midfield.
He dropped Douglas Luiz in last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal and Marvelous Nakamba impressed in the Brazilian’s absence, so the 27-year-old has staked a claim to start at the Amex Stadium.
Former Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor doesn’t believe the Zimbabwean will keep his place against the Seagulls, though, as Villa can likely afford to name a more dynamic midfield than they did against the Gunners. The 34-year-old told Football Insider:
What he offers is he’s more defensively minded than Douglas Luiz. Douglas Luiz can play that role but I think he enjoys going forward and getting involved.
Nakamba is very strict in his defensive duties. I think it was just perfect timing. Douglas Luiz needed a rest – he’s played a lot of football. He’ll definitely be back for the Brighton game and Nakamba (will) on the bench.
It was the perfect game to rest him for – a game against a good Arsenal side who are going to play attacking football and Nakamba fitted in there perfectly, breaking up the play.
The 27-year-old has made 10 appearances in all competitions this season, starting two of Villa’s last five league games. Nakamba impressed in midfield when John McGinn was suspended but was taken out of the side when the Scot returned, so Smith has previous in chopping and changing his midfield.
Nakamba has spent most of the season as an unused substitute and has been brought off the bench to see games out, so he should be under no illusions about his role in the squad.
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Agbonlahor is probably right in his prediction, as Luiz needed the rest after a prolonged run of games.
However, there seems a strong chance that Smith will restore the Brazilian to the starting XI this weekend after having his welcome breather, with Nakamba perhaps the one to miss out.
