Dean Smith will not want to let midfielder Marvelous Nakamba go this summer, Aston Villa journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast.

Last month, the MailOnline reported that both Everton and Crystal Palace are interested in signing Nakamba before the transfer window closes.

The 27-year-old, who joined Villa from Club Brugge back in 2019, was not one of the first names on Smith's teamsheet last season.

In total, he made just 13 appearances in the Premier League, spending a lot of the campaign on the bench.

Despite that, Hatfield expects the Villa boss to keep hold of the Zimbabwe international.

"I think Dean Smith is happy with having Nakamba there as an option," the Express & Star reporter said.

"I don't think he'd want to see him go at all. It might leave them a bit light in that department."

All in all, Smith does look pleased with his midfield options. While Villa have targeted Southampton's James Ward-Prowse, attack has been the former Brentford manager's priority.

He has signed Ward-Prowse's ex-Southampton team-mate Danny Ings, Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia to improve the Villans' forward line.

Anything can, of course, still happen before the transfer window slams shut, but it looks like Nakamba will be remaining at Villa Park.