Zimbabwe international, Marvelous Nakamba is expected to return to Aston Villa’s first eleven on Wednesday as the Blue and Claret Army takes on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Nakamba had been relegated to the bench by Dean Smith following the FIFA international break during which the 24-years-old defensive midfielder played for Zimbabwe against Botswana and Zambia.
His replacement, Douglas Luiz did not disappoint as he contributed immensely when the Villains won 2-0 and drew 2-2, in that order, against Newcastle and Manchester United.
Considering the quality of Chelsea midfielders, N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Matteo Kovacic, the Villa coach is likely to field in Nakamba who has so far proved to be solid in the middle of the park.
It is however not yet clear who would be dropped if Smith is to field both Nakamba and Luiz considering that the team has been playing well.
It is possible that Luiz can replace suspended Guilbert or Anwar El Ghazi who sustained an injury against Manchester United over the weekend, moments after assisting Jack Grealish for Villa’s opener.
Meanwhile, we present below Birmingham Live’s predicted first XI for Villa.
(4-3-3): Heaton; Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Nakamba, Hourihane; Trezeguet, Wesley, Grealish.
More: Birmingham Live