Marvelous Nakamba featured in both of Aston Villa’s pre-season friendlies before making the squad for their tour or Australia, but the 28-year-old hasn’t had a single minute of football since which raises uncertainty over his future this summer.
Nakamba was given 45 minutes in Villa’s 4-0 win over Walsall on July 9 and 45 minutes in their 1-0 win over Leeds United on July 17, but he was left out of Villa’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on July 20 and the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on July 23.
Instead, Steven Gerrard started John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara in midfielder against Brisbane Roar before replacing the pair with Tim Iroegbunam and Douglas Luiz at the restart.
Against United, Gerrard started Jacob Ramsey with McGinn and Kamara before replacing the trio with Luiz, Iroegbunam and Morgan Sanson. That doesn’t bode well for Nakamba’s chances of featuring regularly this campaign, but it doesn’t mean he’ll be sold this summer.
The 28-year-old made 18 appearances in all competitions last season, spending half the campaign out with a knee injury, but he delivered when called upon by Gerrard and still has value.
Gerrard wants to trim the deadwood from the squad, but he won’t prioritise the sale of serviceable players like Nakamba.
