dyton mupawaenda
ASTON Villa supporters can enjoy a feature interview with Zimbabwean midfielder Marvelous Nakamba inside the official matchday programme for their UEFA Champions League tie against Club Brugge tonight.
The midfielder joined Villa from the Belgian side in August 2019 after enjoying a successful two years at Jan Breydelstadion, winning the league title in his first season before featuring in Europe’s top competition in his second.
Now at Luton Town, the News & Record caught up with the Zimbabwean ahead of the second leg to reflect on his time at both clubs.
Here’s an extract from the interview.
“I really enjoyed my time in Belgium. It was almost like a stepping stone in my career,” Nakamba said of his time in the Flemish capital.
“They really helped me to fulfil my dream of playing in the Premier League because they gave me the opportunity to play in the Champions League, and I think that’s when people saw me doing well.
“That was the time when I realised it was possible for me to play in the Premier League, after playing in the Champions League.”
Nakamba was desperate to realise his dream of playing in England’s top flight and saw newly promoted Villa as the perfect opportunity.
Former Brugge teammate Wesley Moraes had completed a move to the Midlands a matter of weeks earlier, and the Zimbabwean was keen to follow as Dean Smith continued to build a squad capable of staying up.
Nakamba became the club’s 12th signing of the summer, promising to “give it everything” in his first interview with club media.
“I was dreaming of playing in the Premier League,” he said.
“We won the championship in my first season, and then after my second season, I was pushing myself and praying for a move to happen.
“When Villa came, I didn’t hesitate. I said yes straight-away because I knew it was a great opportunity for me.
“I knew a lot about the club. I have friends who support Aston Villa back home in Zimbabwe, and I was following clubs in England. I also knew a bit about Birmingham.”
The midfielder added, “Wesley was the first one to be signed, and then Björn Engels signed. At the same time, I was speaking to Villa, and they were speaking to Brugge. I was praying for the move to happen.
“I remember everything. I was thinking, “This is the perfect place for me.’ It was everything about the club, especially the way the fans supported the team.” — News & Record/Sports Reporter.
Online Reporter