After a spell on the sidelines due to suspension, Boubacar Kamara returned to the Aston Villa midfield this past weekend and wasted no time in showing why he’s so important for us.
The 24-year-old is perhaps underrated outside of Villa, but the coaching staff, players and supporters all know just how valuable and good the Frenchman is.
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Aside from his individual strengths such as his tactical intelligence, positioning, reading of the game, tenacity, technical ability and passing range, he adds balance and physical presence in this Villa side by imposing himself in midfield battles and ensuring we have that all-important control that Unai Emery craves.
Further, his impact and presence has a knock-on effect for others to raise their game, whether that’s Douglas Luiz alongside him as he has the freedom to play more advanced knowing Kamara will cover behind, or John McGinn who is proving to be highly effective in more attacking areas.
After our draw at home with Sheffield Utd, the defeat at Man Utd and having scraped through against Burnley, our last three Premier League games highlighted Kamara’s absence and what we lose when he’s not in the side.
In turn, it was a huge boost to see him return against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup this past weekend, and his numbers from the game tell a story in itself as he was a significant influence.
Kamara ended the encounter with 78 touches, 86 percent passing accuracy, 12 of 18 duels won, seven tackles won, six recoveries and two chances created with 10 passes into the final third, and so that’s a snapshot of just how influential he can be for us in both phases of the game.
With inferior sides now seemingly starting to adopt a more cautious approach against us as they sit deep and crowd the middle of the pitch, Kamara’s patience, composure and ability to play through the lines to set us on our way will be critical in breaking these teams down.
Additionally, his defensive class will help make us less susceptible to the counter attack and getting caught out while having all that possession, and so again, his presence becomes vital in both phases.
Conversely, against the top sides, he is fundamental in how we try to impose our style and tempo on the game to control possession and proceedings, and so whatever the game scenario or opposition, Kamara is an integral piece in what makes us so effective, both in terms of being hard to break down and how we prise teams open with quality build-up play.
As noted above, others benefit hugely from his presence too, and it’s hoped that we’ll now rediscover that balance and control that will help us sustain and improve on what we’ve done through the first half of the campaign and rediscover our best form.