---
title: "Fans say ‘awful’ Nakamba ‘can’t pass’"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/03/04/fans-react-marvelous-nakamba-aston-villa-sheffield-united/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-03-04T12:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-03-04T12:30:00Z"
---

# Fans say ‘awful’ Nakamba ‘can’t pass’

[Aston Villa suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/march/Sheffield-United-1-0-Aston-Villa/) on Wednesday evening and Marvelous Nakamba was one of many players criticised for his performance.

The 27-year-old turned over possession and was efficient on the ball, but he was no longer needed when United went down to 10-men as he was unable to unlock the Blades’ defence.

Nakamba is good at breaking up opposition attacks and laying the ball on to more creative players, but he was exposed for not having a good range of passing.

> Exactly this, defensively nakamba is brilliant but hes terrible with the ball
>
> — Andy Nixon (@andyjnixon) [March 3, 2021](https://twitter.com/andyjnixon/status/1367202668872167424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/josh88\_avfc/status/1367217275175116802?s=20

> There are certain players fans like and especially with ones who got us up but if we want to progress I'm looking at Mcginn, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Trez, Luiz been poor of late who certainly need to improve between now and next season to warrant a place in the squad if we recruit
>
> — Discount genuine designer (@discountlabelzz) [March 3, 2021](https://twitter.com/discountlabelzz/status/1367209664459530240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Nakamba forward distribution is awful. [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — HonestlyVilla (@AvfcSims) [March 3, 2021](https://twitter.com/AvfcSims/status/1367183440618094593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> we’re just giving them too much respect. watkins, nakamba and elmo have been the worst players on the pitch. god awful and a much improved second half needdd
>
> — billy (@avbiIly) [March 3, 2021](https://twitter.com/avbiIly/status/1367185997700755462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> It was never a nakamba game though, his passing is awful. Everything else is good about him but his passing is awful
>
> — Ben Davis (@VillaVisionBen) [March 3, 2021](https://twitter.com/VillaVisionBen/status/1367204021807837189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Against the Blades, Nakamba played for 67 minutes, had 47 touches, completed 87.5% of his 40 passes, made one interception, failed to whip in an accurate cross, made two tackles and had one successful dribble ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485443/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Sheffield-United-Aston-Villa)).

The Zimbabwean international has made 12 appearances in all competitions this season, starting three of Villa’s last five Premier League games ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marvelous-nakamba/leistungsdaten/spieler/324882)). He earned his place in the side after impress in their 1-0 win over Arsenal and 1-0 win over Leeds United but wasn’t right against United.

**READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

Villa had the lion’s share of possession on Wednesday, so it made more sense for Dean Smith to replace him with a more creative player. Whether Nakamba will start against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday now remains to be seen.