ZIMBABWEAN midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba has given up his number 11 shirt at English Premiership Aston Villa ahead of the start of the 2020/21 season on Saturday.

The English club announced that Nakamba has given in to the wishes of new signing Ollie Watkins for the striker to wear number 11 while the Zimbabwean will don 19.

Watkins joined Aston Villa from Brentford on a five-year contract in what is said to be a club-record £28m deal that could potentially rise to £33m.

The striker requested for number 11 since he had that on his back throughout his time with the Bees.

Watkins has reunited with Dean Smith, who was Brentford manager when Watkins arrived from Exeter City in 2017.

“Marvelous Nakamba has kindly agreed to let Watkins take his preferred No.11 following his arrival from Brentford, the number that he wore throughout his three years at Griffin Park.-The Herald