Chronicle Editor
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has confirmed that on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba has shaken off a groin problem sustained in the Hatters’ 1-0 loss to EFL Championship leaders Burnley. The Zimbabwean international is back in contention and, despite that loss to Vincent Kompany’s Clarets, Luton are in with a great chance of a top-six finish. Town are available at a best price of 11/10 with bet365 to clinch a playoff place this season. For a brand that’s one of , it’s rare for the Stoke-on-Trent-based operator to be offering such value.
One of the reasons why Nakamba’s new employers aren’t yet being taken seriously as promotion contenders is their general history at this level. In the 2021-22 Championship season, the Hatters punched above their weight under boss Nathan Jones to reach the playoffs. However, they failed to perform when it mattered most, losing narrowly to Huddersfield Town who lost in the final at Wembley.
Luton Town have come a long way in a short space of time
Just a decade ago, Luton were plying their trade in the National League, becoming the first non-league team to defeat a top-tier club in the FA Cup since 1989 by beating Norwich. The club has come a long way since then and their January loan capture of Nakamba is testament to this.
On the final day of the January transfer window, Luton made their move for the 29-year-old, who hadn’t made a single appearance for parent club Aston Villa in 2022/23. Nakamba, who has experience playing in the top-flight of English and Belgian football – as well as games in the UEFA Champions League with Club Brugge – was brought in due to Town’s lack of “natural, deep midfield players”, according to Edwards.
Nakamba joined the Hatters knowing two of the club’s first-team players. After completing his medical, Nakamba , revealing that he’d played with Henri Lansbury during his time at Villa. Meanwhile Ethan Horvath is a former Club Brugge team-mate, with the Hwange-born enforce describing it as a “good feeling to see them again”.
Providing Nakamba can stay fit between now and May, he will surely play a key role in Luton’s playoff push. On the face of it, their final batch of fixtures looks quite kind, with games against Blackpool, Rotherham, Reading and Hull within their final six games. Tricky encounters with Sunderland, Millwall and bitter rivals Watford will undoubtedly decide their fate. Having Makamba’s experience and physical attributes available in these fixtures will hopefully give the Hatters the upper hand.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter