Marvelous Nakamba: The Villans potential good luck charm ahead of Leeds United clash

Since arriving from Club Brugge in the summer of 2019 following Villa’s promotion, Marvelous Nakamba has found his feet in the Premier League, after the almost disastrous season in which Dean Smith’s men avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

However, with the Birmingham outfit struggling with form recently a change is needed within the midfield trio at Villa Park.

When Nakamba has come into play for Smith’s men, they’ve not conceded in the Zimbabwean’s last five Premier League appearances (Wolves, Burnley, Newcastle, Southampton, Arsenal) potentially the 27-year-old is the magic charm that Aston Villa have been without in recent weeks.

With Chelsea loanee, Ross Barkley, pulling together a number of underwhelming performances as of late, the possibility of a shake up of what has been an ever-present midfield throughout the majority of the campaign is set to change as Villa travel to Elland Road.

The most likely selection for the 17:30 Kick-Off this weekend would see John McGinn push up into Barkley’s role with Douglas Luiz and Nakamba sat behind the Scotsman to pull the strings when going forward, whilst also providing an added layer of protection against a threatening Leeds.

The 27-year-old has only made seven league appearances in Claret and Blue, but times may be changing for the Zimbabwean as he enters his prime years as a footballer, Nakamba can help fix the problems Smith’s side have faced in recent weeks.

Marcelo Bielsa’s high-pressing style of football will pose a threat to a weakened Villa defence as Matty Cash is still ruled out with a hamstring injury, in which Ahmed Elmohamady will maintain his spot in the starting XI for the trip north.

Leeds United can leapfrog the Villans if they’re victorious at Elland Road, moving the Yorkshire Whites as high as eighth place whilst Villa would only remain in their current position with a game in hand as we enter an important time in the club’s campaign.

Last time out, Bielsa’s side ran out 3-0 victors at Villa Park after an exhilarating performance from Patrick Bamford helped the recently promoted club to all three points, a performance that Aston Villa will look to forget ahead of this weekend’s vital clash in the Premier League.

Both sides come into the tie with a number if injuries to key players, Leeds will be without Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Rodrigo and Ivan Poveda whilst the Villans are still without Cash and club captain, Jack Grealish.

However, don’t let the injuries of key players distract you from one of game week 26’s biggest fixtures in the race for those European spots.

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