da supremo： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
da winzada777： Despite Aston Villa’s inconsistent start to the 2019/20 campaign which has seen the newly-promoted side secure just three wins from their first 12 league games, the competition for places in Dean Smith’s squad is likely to hold a long-term benefit that could well go on to yield much better results as the season goes on.
One area where the West Midlands side possess considerable depth is in central midfield, specifically in the defensive positions, with two summer signings causing Smith a serious headache as to who can offer the most to the team in their bid to retain the club’s top-flight status.
Having arrived from Manchester City in the summer transfer window for a reported £15m fee, Douglas Luiz proceeded to start three of Villa’s first four league matches, and the Brazilian has also displayed his goalscoring ability, netting twice with long-distance strikes against Bournemouth and Norwich City.
The midfielder’s arrival at Villa Park served as evidence to suggest he would be Smith’s first-choice holding midfielder, but another summer signing is making a case to be the club’s number one anchor. Marvelous Nakamba, signed from Club Brugges in an £11m deal, has started all of Villa’s last eight league matches, proving his importance to Smith’s side.
In the last three games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Wolves – three games that Villa have lost successively – the Villa boss has opted to play both Luiz and Nakamba, attempting to construct a defensively resolute system to counter the attacking pedigree that Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s sides possess.
Yet, in the process, Smith has sacrificed his own team’s cutting edge, having scored just two goals in the last three games compared to 15 in the previous nine. If the newly-promoted side are to extend their stay in the top-flight, it is vital a sole holding player is selected to play behind two box-to-box midfielders in front.
In Nakamba, Villa have a player whose defensive ability was certainly on show against Liverpool as he registered six tackles, but the Zimbabwean does not have the goalscoring ability that his Brazilian counterpart holds. His career return is just four goals, from 173 games.
With Luiz’s goals coming against Norwich City and Bournemouth – two teams who are likely to be in the bottom half at the end of the season – a case could be made for the former Manchester City man starting against less dangerous opponents, leaving Nakamba to take a starting berth against the top-six and more elite opposition.
The club’s summer transfer business has provided increased competition for places, and although the Nakamba and Luiz dilemma is likely to cause Smith a short-term headache, there can be no doubting that it has obvious advantages in terms of squad depth. But it’s now down to the Villa boss to find the formula to get the best out of both his defensive midfielders as his side look to secure survival.