---
title: "Gabby Agbonlahor tips Douglas Luiz to return to Villa’s starting XI v Brighton"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/10/agbonlahor-tips-douglas-luiz-to-start-against-brighton/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-02-10T19:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-10T19:00:00Z"
---

# Gabby Agbonlahor tips Douglas Luiz to return to Villa’s starting XI v Brighton

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](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/Aston-Villa-1-0-Arsenal/) and Marvelous Nakamba [impressed](https://www.sofascore.com/arsenal-aston-villa/PR) in the Brazilian’s absence, so the 27-year-old has staked a claim to start at the Amex Stadium.

[Former Villa striker](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gabriel-agbonlahor/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/37148) 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](https://www.footballinsider247.com/agbonlahor-aston-villa-27-yr-old-will-definitely-be-axed-v-brighton/):

> 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marvelous-nakamba/leistungsdaten/spieler/324882) in all competitions this season, starting two of Villa’s last five league games. Nakamba impressed in midfield when John McGinn was [suspended](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/aston-villa-midfielder-john-mcginn-suspended-for-newcastle-clash-1611319837000) but was [taken out of the side](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marvelous-nakamba/leistungsdaten/spieler/324882) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marvelous-nakamba/leistungsdaten/spieler/324882) and has been brought off the bench to see games out, so he should be under no illusions about his role in the squad.

### **READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

Agbonlahor is probably right in his prediction, as Luiz needed the rest after a [prolonged run of games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/douglas-luiz/leistungsdaten/spieler/447661).

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.