Abílio Novais

Abílio António Gomes Novais (born 24 August 1967), known simply as Abílio as a player, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, and the current manager of Vila FC.

Over the course of 13 seasons, he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 342 matches and 46 goals, mainly at Salgueiros.

Born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto District, Abílio competed in the Primeira Liga from 1988 to 2001, starting by playing all 38 games for Leixões S.C. as the season ended in relegation. He nonetheless signed for FC Porto, being rarely used during his tenure and subsequently joining S.C. Salgueiros.

Abílio scored 26 league goals for Salgueiros in his last four years combined, then moved to S.C. Campomaiorense and C.D. Aves, retiring in 2003 at the age of 36 with first club Leixões, in the third division. He subsequently started working as a manager.

Novais' son, João, was also a footballer and a midfielder. He too played for Leixões.