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ZIMBABWE international midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba, is being tipped to return to the Aston Villa first XI in their Saturday night showdown against Leeds United in the English Premiership.
Nakamba has been thrust into the heart of the conversations, when it comes to the Villa first XI, this week, after the club crashed to defeat at the hands of Leicester City last weekend.
Now, BirminghamLive’s Villa Club reporter, Ashley Preece, expects the Zimbabwean star to be thrown into the deep end tomorrow night.
“Last weekend, Villa were blown away in five first-half minutes by Leicester City and only really came on strong late on as the Foxes sat back and protected what they had,’’ Preece wrote yesterday.
“This weekend promises to be another tough old task and here’s a run through some of Smith’s options as supporters call on an urgent reshuffle.
“Now, there’s one player who could benefit from being taken out of the firing line, and that’s Ross Barkley. The loanee has looked sapped of energy in recent games with Smith himself confirming that Barkley has been trying to get match-fit whilst playing.
“Given the nature of his somewhat laboured, and casual showing in the first-half against Leicester, then Villa need an injection of energy with Sanson or Ramsey primed to come into the starting XI.
“The two mentioned have been champing at the bit in their recent cameos with both looking like they want to prove a point. Smith, meanwhile, could favour Sanson in there given his big-game pedigree for Marseille. “However, the most-likely selection could be John McGinn, playing in Barkley’s position, with Douglas Luiz and a returning Marvelous Nakamba coming in to bolster Villa’s midfield.
“Villa, meanwhile, haven’t conceded a single goal with the Zimbabwean in the team in his last five Premier League appearances (Wolves, Burnley, Newcastle, Southampton, Arsenal) with Nakamba perhaps Villa’s good luck charm.’’
Preece doesn’t see any major changes in the defence.
“The impressive Matty Cash is still a few weeks away from his return with a hamstring injury meaning Smith is likely to pick Ahmed Elmohamady — and not youngster Kaine Kesler — once again,’’ he wrote.
“Across the back line, Villa will look to keep it consistent with Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and the ever-improving Matt Targett, below, all poised to start at Elland Road.
“That back five is pretty much nailed on — and so is Ollie Watkins starting up front in his usual lone-striker role. That leaves five positions up for grabs, then, with Smith having a midfield conundrum on his plate.
PREDICTED VILLA XI FOR LEEDS: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Nakamba; Traore, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Trezeguet; Watkins. — BimringhamLive/Sports Reporter.
Online Reporter