The Sunday News
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN midfielder Marvelous Nakamba returned to the match day squad having been confined to the terraces for two months as Aston Villa beat Leeds 2-1 at Villa Park on Friday night.
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder, who is yet to make an appearance in the 2022/23 English Premiership warmed the bench.
It was the ninth time this season for Nakamba to be on the bench out of the 19 league games.
Marvelous Nakamba celebrates Aston Villa’s goal with scorer Ollie Watkins – File picture
The last appearance for the former Bantu Rovers striker was on the last day of the 2021/22 season when he came in as a substitute as Aston Villa lost 3-2 to Manchester City on 5 May. Then, Nakamba replaced Brazilian Phillipe Coutinho in the 72nd minute with Aston Villa leading 2-0, but Manchester City raised their tempo to win the tie 3-2, scoring all their goals inside five minutes with the first coming in the 76th minute.
There have been growing calls for Nakamba to leave Villa Park and save his career.
Manchester City
Last week, Birmingham Mail ran an online poll titled “keep or sell” with fans voting for Coutinho, Nakamba and Morgan Sanson to go. Coutinho polled 44, 2 percent of the votes, with Sanson second on 38 percent while Nakamba got 29, 3 percent.
Nakamba, who last sat on the bench on 23 October when Aston Villa clobbered Brentford, has previously been linked with moves to Newcastle, Everton and Crystal Palace.
With the transfer window open, it remains to be seen if Nakamba who has 18 months left in his contract that runs out in June 2024 will move out of Villa Park.— Follow on Twitter @ZililoR
