Agbonlahor: Why Nakamba should stay at Aston Villa

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Dec 12, 2020. 11:00

Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba should not be sold by English outfit Aston Villa.

This is according to Villa’s club legend Gabriel Agbonlahor despite Nakamba having struggled for game time this season.

The left-footed midfielder has made just two appearances in the Premier League this season with Douglas Luiz, Ross Barkley, Conor Hourihane, Jack Grealish and John McGinn all preferred ahead of him.

Agbonlahor, who is a former Villa captain, spoke to Football Insider https://www.footballinsider247.com/agbonlahor-exclusive-rarely-seen-11m-aston-villa-player-tipped-for-big-role-after-report/ about Nakamba’s current situation at the Lions.

When asked if Nakamba should be sold during the 2021 January transfer window, Agbonlahor said: “I actually don’t, to be honest.

“Dean Smith [Villa manager] will have picked his 25-man squad for the season, unless he has money to bring in new signings I don’t think he would get rid of him.

“Just because you’ve got Luiz, Grealish, Hourihane, McGinn, Barkley in front of him at the moment, there’s injuries and suspensions that could happen. Who do you call for then? I’m sure he’s the next one in line.”

Nakamba made 29 appearances in the Premier League last season after joining Villa from Belgian giants Club Brugge.

“I’m sure Dean Smith will be thinking he’ll use him at some point this season when needed. At the moment Dean Smith needs a big squad for the season,” he added.

“The last thing you want is to have just 18 senior players available, as some clubs have already done this season like Burnley.

“That can easily happen if you decide to move players on. For sure, I think he keeps hold of him and he’s involved in the squad.”

Nakamba, 26, has played 15 international matches for Zimbabwe.