Aston Villa
Aston Villa splashing £20m to land this 25-year-old African star would make them rock solid in a key area of the pitch
Aston Villa opinion: Nakamba could be a massive coup for the Lions
According to Birmingham Live, Aston Villa are interested in signing Marvelous Nakamba in the summer transfer window as manager Dean Smith looks to build a strong enough squad capable of beating the drop in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old Zimbabwean international, who currently plies his trade with Club Brugge in the Belgian top-flight, has earned rave reviews for his performances and Birmingham Live understands that the Belgian heavyweights are likely to demand a fee in excess of £20million to part ways with their star midfielder.
Villa have already snapped up Brazilian centre-forward Wesley Moraes from Club Brugge in a club-record deal this summer and a move for Nakamba, if it materialises, would represent the Lions’ second consecutive raid on the Belgian giants.
The 25-year-old has made eyeballs turn with his consistently impressive performances in recent years and he might as well earn a coveted move to the Premier League, with newly-promoted outfit Villa keen to play a gamble on him.
Nakamba’s involvement was restricted to just 23 appearances in all competitions this past season but he still played a key role as Club Brugge finished runners-up to Genk in the Belgian top-flight.
The 25-year-old featured prominently in his club’s Champions League campaign in the group stages and held his own against some top-quality opposition.
Born in Hwange, Zimbabwe, Nakamba started his career with Highlanders and Bantu Rovers in his homeland before earning a move to Europe with French side Nancy back in 2012.
However, his time in France proved to be an ill-fated one and the midfielder featured largely for the club’s reserve side, making only a handful of first-team appearances in the process.
Nakamba, though, enjoyed his breakthrough in Europe with Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie.
The 25-year-old established himself as a first-team regular at Vitesse and made 77 appearances in all competitions for the Dutch outfit before moving across the continent to join Club Brugge in the summer of 2017.
His spell in Belgium has been a fruitful one so far, with the Zimbabwean international carving out a reputation for himself as one of the most exciting prospects outside the top-five European leagues.
To put things into perspective, Marvelous Nakamba has been a real revelation in Europe over the past few campaigns and Aston Villa have every reason to look at him as a potential transfer target this summer.
The Zimbabwean is still only 25, meaning that he has plenty of time to make significant improvements to his game and acclimatise to the Premier League in due course of time.
The Lions have already demonstrated their ambitions in the top-flight with the acquisition of players like Jota, Kortney Hause, Anwar El Ghazi and Wesley Moraes, and while reinforcements at the back continue to be a priority for manager Dean Smith, Villa can certainly do with more depth and quality in their midfield ranks.
The likes of John McGinn, Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish formed a formidable trio in the Championship this past season but one can get the feeling that they need to ensure more competition for places in a key area of the pitch.
Smith preferred a 4-3-3 system with a central defensive midfielder playing in an anchor role and complementing two forward-minded midfielders in No.8 roles on either side of the pitch. And that is exactly why Nakamba could be a tailor-made signing for the Lions in the Premier League.
Essentially a central defensive midfielder by trade, Nakamba is noted for his tough-tackling and all-action nature in the middle of the park, as well as his impressive range of passing and ball distribution skills, which should make him a perfect fit for the kind of formation Dean Smith prefers.
A strong, tenacious, aggressive and hardworking midfielder, the 25-year-old is not only adept at breaking up the play with crucial tackles and interceptions but he is also more than capable of carrying the ball forward with pace, setting his team on the front foot in the process.
Conclusion
Conor Hourihane looks like the only choice for Villa in that central defensive midfield role following the release of experienced players like Mile Jedinak and Glenn Whelan.
While the Irishman certainly deserves a fair crack of the whip in the Premier League, bringing in someone like Nakamba would increase competition for places and add some much-needed depth to the club’s ranks.
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The 25-year-old might as well prove to be an upgrade on Villa’s existing options and that said, they should not hesitate to splash the cash on him this summer.
Aston Villa fans create a fantastic environment in Villa Park by chanting songs, shouting and cheering. So let’s find out the top 5 Aston Villa fan chants.
Founded in 1874, Aston Villa have ranked fifth in the all-time English top-flight table. Apart from winning major English titles, Villa won one European Cup in 1982. Villa has a fierce rivalry with Birmingham City. Traditionally their home jersey is of claret colour with sky blue sleeves.
Aston Villa fans a.k.a the Villians fill their home stadium with chants and songs whenever their team plays. So without further ado, let’s find out more about the chants.
Latest Aston Villa Fan Chants – The Chant of the Year
After a painful quarterfinal defeat to Juventus in the 1984 European Cup, Aston Villa went 40 years without a single Champions League game. That all changed when Unai Emery shocked the whole Premier League by finishing fourth on the league table and qualifying for the holy grail of club football competition.
So, we give our chant of the year award to this funny yet peppy chant that made the Villians go crazy during the champions league nights.
Is This the way to Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Lazio, And Roma.
Villa Boys are taking over!
Champions League awaits for me!
lalalalalala Villa!
Lalalalalala Villa!
Lalalalalala Villa!
Champions League awaits for me!
5. Gino
This one was initially born from a tune played by the stadium DJ. This chant has been around since Dean Saunders’ time. The original version of the chant is ‘Gino’ by Dexys Midnight Runners. The Aston Villa fans have made it their own by chanting it throughout the game. The fans enjoy chanting this song in an energetic voice.
Wo wo Deano!
4. New York, New York
Aston Villa fans chant this song in respect of Dwight Yorke. The Trinidadian spent most of his career in Aston Villa and was known to be a lethal striker during his peak years. Scoring 77 goals and providing 11 assists in 233 matches, he left a mark on Villa fans’ memory.
The chant was initially inspired by one of Frank Sinatra’s songs. Villa fans first started this song in 1990, and it became an instant hit. This song is a proper tribute to a legend who had a significant influence on Villa and the Premier League as a whole.
Start spreading the news, he’s playing today, I want to see him score again – Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke. If he can score from there, he’ll score from anywhere, it’s up to you, Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke.
3. My old man said be a City fan
This chant is a classic banter towards Aston Villa’s rival, Birmingham City. Known as the ‘Second City derby’, the Aston Villa vs Birmingham was first played in 1879. Even though we currently don’t know when the villa fans started chanting this song, this one was derived from a 1940’s old cockney tune ‘Don’t Dilly Dally (My Old Man Said Follow The Van).
The lyrics of this chant are filled with slang directed towards Birmingham fans and players. It reflects how intense the rivalry has become in recent years.
My old man said be a city fan
and i said boll**ks you’re a c*nt,
you’re a c*nt.We hate the blues and they f*ckin know it,
we hate the blues and were gonna show it.With Spinksy and Birchy, Alan McInally,
there the boys who’re gonna do us fine.And if you support the blues then
you’re a blue nose bast**d,
and you ain’t no friend of mine…ALL TOGETHER NOW! (repeat)
2. Kum Bay Ya
This chant from Villa fans is a tribute to Paul McGrath. The Irishman spent years guarding the backline of Aston Villa. The central defender gained a God-like status among the fans of the club. McGrath appeared a total of 220 times for the lions.
Proving to be one of the best centre-backs to ever play in the Villa jersey, McGrath helped the team win 2 English League Cups. Villa fans have remembered the Irishman’s contributions to the club’s history, and they show their gratitude by singing this chant.
Paul McGrath my lord, Paul McGrath, Paul McGrath my lord, Paul McGrath, Paul McGrath my lord, Paul McGrath, oh lord, Paul McGrath
1. Allez Allez Allez
This one is Aston Villa’s own version of ‘Allez Allez Allez Allez’. This one is so powerful that it lifts the mood of the stadium all alone. The original version of ‘Allez Allez Allez’ was a 1985 hit from Italian disco duo Righeira, ‘L’Estate Sta Finendo’ (Summer Is Ending).
Even though several versions of ‘Allez, Allez, Allez’ have circulated over the years, Aston Villa’s version remains a classic. This one reflects the proudness of the Villa supporters. Everybody at Villa Park sings it at top of their lungs to create a highly effective environment.
Every week we follow,
The boys in claret and blue,
We conquered all of Europe – in 1982
The Villa boys from Aston, we travel near and far,
You will hear us singing,
From the stands of Villa Park,
Allez Allez Allez Allez Allez Allez
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A look at some of the Aston Villa players on loan and their ratings on the recently-released EA Sports FC 25.
Aston Villa are slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the English Premier League. In fact, they have been making massive waves in the UEFA Champions League as well, in their very first season in Europe’s premier competition. All thanks to their manager, former Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
Emery has made Villa fans dream again, as they slowly slot in as a top 5 club in the English Premier League. After impressive performances in recent seasons, they have quite a strong squad now, so much so that, they have a staggering 15 players out on loan. Let’s take a deeper look into the same.
Here are 5 Aston Villa players on loan and also their ratings on EA Sports FC 25:
Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian midfield magician is still at the club. Having joined the club in 2022, after a loan spell there in the early part of 2022, Coutinho made quite a few appearances before going on loan to Al-Duhail in 2023. He is now on loan to Vasco da Gama, the Brazilian club he played for back in 2008 (to 2010). Since Vasco da Gama isn’t available as a playable team on EA Sports FC 25, Coutinho doesn’t feature in the game.
Alex Moreno
Alex Moreno joined Aston Villa in the 2023 winter window. Having made 40 appearances for them in the league, he left for Nottingham Forest on loan in 2024. The left-back is rated an impressive 79 on EA Sports FC 25.
Leander Dendoncker
Leander Dendoncker could never recreate his Wolverhampton Wanderer’s self at Aston Villa. After joining them in 2022, he has made 36 appearances in the league for Villa so far. He first left on loan to Napoli in early 2024, before going on loan to Anderlecht in the second half of 2024 (where he currently plays). Dendoncker is rated 75 on EA Sports FC 25.
Enzo Barrenechea
Enzo Barrenechea, the Argentine was signed by Aston Villa only in 2024. Right after his arrival, he was sent on loan to Valencia (for whom he currently plays for). The defensive midfielder is rated a decent 71 on EA Sports 25.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden
It’s been over three years since Kaine Kesler-Hayden turned pro after having spent his youth career at Aston Villa. However, he has just made only 3 league apperances for the Villans. The reason – he has been on multiple loan spells ever since signing for the club. He is now out on loan to Preston North End, and is rated 66 on EA Sports FC 25.
Arsenal Dragon
Race for the EPL golden boot: Players who might finish in the top 5 scorers in the 2024-25 season
Here is an early prediction of how things might stand in the race for the EPL Golden Boot in the ongoing 2024-25 season.
The English Premier League never fails to impress. Into its third month, with seven matchdays done, the race for the top-scorer in the league is hotting up. While it may be too early to predict who will end up topping the charts of the goal scorers in the 2024-25 EPL season, the signs have begun blooming.
Here is an early prediction of who might top the goalscoring table in the ongoing EPL season:
Erling Haaland
The obvious option, and the favorite to win the 2024-25 EPL Golden Boot. The Norwegian man has raced to 10 goals already, leaving the striker in second place four goals behind. Haaland has already hit two hattricks this season and has only slowed down in recent matches, especially following the injuries of Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri.
Should he stay fit this season, the Manchester City striker might end up winning the Golden Boot for the third successive time. Goals come easy for Haaland, and it shouldn’t be a surprise if he achieves this feat.
Bryan Mbeumo
The Cameroonian striker has begun well in the ongoing EPL season. Mbeumo has been a very dependable man for the Brentford faithful, often helping them across the line in dire situations.
The LeBron James-lookalike has scored 6 goals for Brentford this season, and is only behind Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot. This clearly makes him one of the favorites to top the chart.
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer was letting Nicolas Jackson bang goals in the early games for Chelsea, assisting him whenever he could. However, as the weeks went by, Palmer began taking things into his own hands. During Chelsea’s game against Brighton, Palmer went on a rampage, becoming the first player in EPL history to score 4 goals in the same half.
The Englishman has now scored 6 goals this season, and has also been among the top names in the assists chart.
Jhon Duran
Jhon Duran has not begun starting games for Aston Villa, but the Colombian youngster has already bagged 4 goals this season, having come on as a substitute in most of the matches.
And Duran’s goal catalogue has been pure fire. With him firing on all cylinders, it will only be a matter of time before he becomes a part of Unai Emery’s starting XI.
Kai Havertz
Although it is too much of a stretch to pick Kai Havertz to win the Golden Boot this season, the German might end up among the top scorers at least, given the form he is in. Often a target of critics, Havertz has stepped up for Arsenal whenever the club has needed goals. In the recently concluded fixture against Southampton, it was Havertz who equalized for the North London club, right after they had gone behind in the second half.
If not a golden boot, Havertz can at least end up bagging his best goal haul in his EPL career.
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