Aston Villa confirm transfer that has major impact on Fantasy Premier League players

Aston Villa star Marvelous Nakamba has brought his four-year stay at Villa Park to an end by completing a permanent move to Luton Town.

The midfielder spent the back end last season on loan at the promoted Championship side and played a vital role in the side's return to the top flight for the first time in 31 years. Nakamba started all but two of Luton's league fixtures from February and every minute of the Play-Off campaign.

Signing for an undisclosed fee, the 29-year-old will be hoping for plenty more game time having struggled to make an impact at Villa Park since arriving from Club Brugge in 2019. Nakamba did make 68 appearances for the Villains and won Player of the Month in November 2021 after a string of good performances under Steven Gerrard but was affected by a serious knee injury shortly afterwards.

Speaking about his new three-year contract at Luton, Nakamba said: "I'm very excited to be back home at Luton to continue the journey.

"When I joined on loan, I felt love from everyone - the manager, the board, the staff, the players and the fans.

"I was welcomed as part of the family and that pushed me to give everything for this club and help achieve the goal we had last season, which we did."

Given that Nakamba wasn't a part of the Aston Villa side last season, his departure might not affect Unai Emery's preparations much, but it is music to the ears of Fantasy Premier League players ahead of the new season.

The star is priced at £4.5 in the fantasy football game, the cheapest a midfielder can be. Fantasy managers often search high and low for an option at that price point to enable them to spend cash elsewhere, but this season it appeared that none had been guaranteed minutes.

While fantasy football managers won't often play their £4.5 midfielder in their starting XI, having backup points on the bench can be vital each Gameweek.

Nakamba didn't pick up a single goal or assist at Luton last term, so those who pick the star can't expect huge points hauls, but his assured starts point to regular two-point returns.

The club's manager Rob Edwards said: "We - the supporters, the board, the staff and the players - all fell in love with Marv for what he gave us.

"Not just his work ethic, but his humility. He's so unassuming; he just slotted in from day one and it felt like he had been at Luton for 10 years.

"I think he felt that love. Everyone felt that he enjoyed himself and that it felt like home for him. That's why it is special because he felt it was right, he felt comfortable, at home - and now he is. As a footballer, he was the glue that knitted us together."

Currently, the most selected £4.5 midfield options are Brentford man Shandon Baptiste (5.8%) and Elliot Anderson (2.2%), but Nakamba will no doubt climb up from his current 0.5% ownership.

One Twitter user said: "Marvelous news! Nakamba has returned to Luton on a permanent deal from Aston Villa. He spent the 2nd half of last season on loan at Luton, playing 17 league games. We finally have a starting 4.5 midfielder!"

Another added: "This shirt will turn orange very soon. Then you have a guaranteed nailed 4.5 mid on FPL. Nakamba has signed for Luton."