Agbonlahor: Aston Villa hit with ‘massive blow’ after Nakamba crunch talks today
Marvelous Nakamba’s knee injury is a “massive blow” and “bad news” for Aston Villa, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer claimed Nakamba has been “outstanding” since the appointment of Steven Gerrard last month (11 November).
Before Villa’s 2-0 win over Norwich City (14 December), Nakamba had started every Premier League game of Gerrard’s reign.
Before that, the Zimbabwe international had managed just four starts under Dean Smith this season.
As quoted by Birmingham Live after the win at Carrow Road, the Villa boss revealed he was set for crunch talks with his player on Wednesday (15 December) to discuss how to manage the injury.
He confirmed it is a “serious injury” and will be out for a considerable amount of time but they are yet to decide whether it requires surgery.
“It’s a massive blow,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Steven Gerrard has played him a lot since he’s come in and he’s been outstanding, doing a great role.
“But this is football. It gives someone else a chance to step in. Can someone else come in and take the chance?
“Yes, it’s bad news but this is why you build a squad. Other players have got to step in.”
Nakamba has been ruled out of the African Cup of Nations that take place in Cameroon in the new year with his knee injury.
The midfielder, 27, has 26 international caps to his name and has captained his country on occasion.
In other news, the ‘next Jack Grealish’ is already at Aston Villa as an ‘amazing’ claim is dropped.