da bwin： 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 dobrowin： Aston Villa romped to their second win of the Premier League season over the weekend as they devoured Norwich City 5-1 at Carrow Road.
Their club-record summer signing Wesley doubled his tally to move to four for the season while a trio of midfielders also managed to bag goals in Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane, and Douglas Luiz.
The victory moved Villa out of the relegation zone and into 15th, which will offer some encouragement going into the international break.
John McGinn has been one of their influential players so far this campaign, only continuing on from the excellent form which helped them towards promotion last season.
Before Saturday’s game, the Scotsman was their top goalscorer, but he does still rate out as their best player per WhoScored’s average ratings with 7.59.
On their way to winning the playoff final, McGinn scored seven goals and laid on an assist nine times, so he could well be on track for improvements in at least the goalscoring column.
It is this sort of form that saw him mooted with a move to Manchester United over the summer, especially after his fellow countryman Sir Alex Ferguson got involved, but nothing came to fruition as he signed a five-year contract extension at Villa Park.
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Recent reports have even suggested that the Premier League strugglers will try to sign him in January, that’s according to Noel Whelan anyway – just one point separates Villa to United, who sit 12th.
However, it’s not all been about McGinn, there’s one player who has become an integral part of Dean Smith’s midfield.
Marvelous Nakamba has been exactly what it says on the tin. He’s been a marvellous revelation.
Defensive midfield can be quite a specialist position, but the Zimbabwe international has given Smith vital stability and strength in the lower-third portion of the pitch, quickly becoming one of their most important players.
His anchorman role has allowed the likes of McGinn and Grealish freedom further up the pitch, meaning they have been able to contribute more in the attacking phase and thus, create more chances and goals – as the Norwich victory perfectly portrayed with Villa netting five times from their 22 attempts.
Nakamba has been busy yet industrious in the heart of midfield, recording at least two tackles in every game this season, while more recently, his passing abilities have been displayed as he’s registered four key passes in his last two outings.
This level of form puts him right up there with McGinn, if not slightly ahead of him. That means that if the Scot left the club in January, whoever takes his place can naturally slide in without having to worry about what’s behind him.
In some senses, Nakamba has become the vital cog in Villa’s system and his four tackles per game are fine evidence of the pillar of solidity he offers.