Alan Shearer has told the Premier League website that Marvelous Nakamba produced the kind of performance that Steven Gerrard will have been looking for as he named the Aston Villa star in his team of the week.
The Villans have made a brilliant start to life under Gerrard. They picked up their second win on Saturday, as they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
A number of Villa stars were superb in the win. John McGinn looked to be back to his best in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, Matt Targett responded superbly amid reports that Gerrard has his eye on a new left-back.
But Shearer picked out Nakamba as being the star of the show in the victory, claiming that the 27-year-old was crucial to Villa’s win.
“Ran the midfield. That is just the kind of performance that Steven Gerrard will be looking for,” he told the Premier League website.
Nakamba looks to have key role in Aston Villa squad under Steven Gerrard
Nakamba – who cost around £11 million – was an unused substitute in three of Dean Smith’s final six Premier League games in charge at Villa Park. And he only saw out 90 minutes on one occasion.
Under Gerrard however, he has not yet missed a minute. In fact, it is the first time this term he has played 90 minutes in back-to-back league games.
That suggests that the new Villa boss sees a key role for Nakamba in his plans.
Interestingly, he has also collected a yellow card in both of the games under Gerrard.
Remarkably, Villa’s midfield three made 15 successful tackles between them on Saturday – five fewer than the entire Palace team managed them (via Whoscored).
Nakamba is quickly establishing himself as a vital player under Gerrard.