NAKAMBA SHINES ON RETURN
MARVELOUS Nakamba returned into Aston Villa’s starting for the first time in over a month and helped them secure a 2-0 win over Newcastle Saturday night.
The Villans ran out 2-0 winners with Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore scoring the goals they needed to end a three-match winless streak.
And Nakamba posted a ‘man-of the-match’ performance that saw him receiving praises from pundits and fans.
“Solid team performance tonight,” posted Nakamba on social media after the match.
It was the 27-year-old’s second start of the campaign and his fifth appearance for Villa this season.
He was drafted into the team by coach Dean Smith as a replacement to John McGinn who was serving a one-match ban and the Zimbabwe international stepped up with aplomb.
Having struggled for minutes after the return of football since the coronavirus outbreak, his performance against Magpies might give Dean Smith some food for thought.
The Warriors star offered a timely reminder of what he is capable of with hope to get more minutes going forward.
He had last featured for the team on December 17 last year. Aston Villa took to Twitter reminding people of the Zimbabwean’s impressive stats.
“67 passes attempted 66 passes completed 2 interceptions 2 tackles won 1 aerial duel won 1 clearance
“A near-faultless display from @Nakamba_11!” tweeted Aston Villa.
He also received praises from pundits with Sky Sports giving him a seven in their player ratings while BBC Sport gave him a 7.3.
Birmingham Mail rated Nakamba the second best player for Aston Villa after captain Jack Grealish and gave him a 7.5. “Back in for his first start and first taste of match action since Burnley in mid-December, some five games ago. Kept possession really well in the heart of Villa’s midfield. Always offered short from goal kicks and looked unflustered against Newcastle’s midfield. A much welcome 90 minutes for Nakamba who proved his worth to Villa’s squad with a good performance as he broke up play whenever he could. Did well on his return,” reported Mail.
Another publication, 90 Minutes, described the former Club Brugge midfielder as a destroyer and rated him 8.
“Marvelous Nakamba (CM) — 8/10 — A destroyer in the middle with bags of energy. Stopped Newcastle progressing and kept his passing simple, allowing the more talented ball-players to dominate the match,” reported 90 Minutes.
Following the much-needed win, supporters took to Twitter to speak of their delight at Nakamba’s performance.
“I have always stood by the fact that Nakamba is more than good enough to play for Aston Villa, I’m proven right once again today. What a player #AVFC,” wrote Tom @TB_AVFC
“Nobody will say it, but anyone else think Nakamba has been class? Won every second ball, sniffed out danger, been quality IMO #avfc,” Jamie @JamieeAVFC
“Brilliant performance Marvelous, showed no sign of match rust at all, you and Konsa share man of the match for me. — Gio (@giopanelli)
“Honestly so impressed with your performance tonight. Hardly any games this season and you didn’t hide. Always showing for the ball. The best I’ve seen you in a Villa Shirt”
— fozza (@FozzaC)
“Superb display from you tonight m8. Would like to see you play like that more often. Keep going and good luck on Wednesday. Well done #VTID — Chris (@ChrisDonno82)