Aston Villa: Ben Foster blown away by ‘integral’ Boubacar Kamara despite ‘horrible’ development
Aston Villa have had to contend with a number of major injury blows so far this season as they chase the top four under Unai Emery.
The likes of Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia’s seasons were over before they even really got going, while Jacob Ramsey and Nicolo Zaniolo have enjoyed stop-start campaigns with repeated fitness issues appearing.
Perhaps the most damaging blow came when Boubacar Kamara’s season was brought to a premature end following an ACL injury, but Ben Foster believes the Frenchman will only come back stronger next season.
Speaking on the Premier League YouTube channel (15 April, 10:40) he said: “He’s been so important for Aston Villa. It’s been a long time coming for him really, he’s been at Villa for a long time but this season he has really, really flourished.
“I’m gutted about the injury as well. It’s a horrible injury, but what it does offer him is the opportunity to really work at the other parts of his game, his physicality, get himself in the gym, and get himself strong. That could really benefit him going forward.
“I’m just gutted his season got cut short. It’s so hard to find them, to be a defensive midfielder you have to be so selfless. You have to do the dirty work. He’s probably quite integral to the way that Villa play.”
When will Boubacar Kamara be fit and available to play for Aston Villa again?
Kamara’s last match for Villa saw him substituted after 65 minutes against Manchester United, but that match showed just why he is so integral to Emery’s plans at Villa Park as he ran the game from the midfield.
The Frenchman completed 94 per cent of his 36 attempted passes, four of which found a teammate in claret and blue in the final third as he repeatedly played Ollie Watkins in behind the Red Devils’ defence, according to Fotmob.
When the ball is at his feet, there are few better than the 24-year-old and in the defeat to United, he completed 100 per cent of his three attempted dribbles as he showed the attacking side to his game.
Defensively, Kamara had a reasonably strong afternoon, winning 100 per cent of his attempted tackles and coming away with possession in four of his five ground duels, however, he did struggle in the air against Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo.
The Villa star won zero per cent of his three aerial battles and committed a single foul as United’s more physically dominant midfield got the better of him on a couple of occasions.
When compared to other midfielders in the Premier League this season, Kamara wins more tackles per 90 minutes than 77 per cent of his peers, with an average of 1.58 every game, according to Fbref.
But the 24-year-old also places in the 35th percentile for challenges lost per match, losing 1.25 duels a game on average. While he is an excellent tackler, he could do with being a bit more physically dominant to compete in the Premier League.
On top of that, Kamara places in the bottom 23 per cent of his peers for aerials lost per game, with an average of 1.36. While he can’t change his height, his time on the treatment table could help him improve his aerial ability.
Will Villa and Unai Emery qualify for the Champions League?
If Villa qualify for the Champions League this season, they will need Kamara to be at his best as his partnership with Douglas Luiz at the base of midfield has been the platform for most of the Villans’ success this term.
Hopefully, the Frenchman can get back fit and on the grass sooner rather than later so he can play a part in the early stages of the campaign. If he adds to his game as Ben Foster has predicted, he could be one of the best in the Premier League.
In other Aston Villa news, Jamie Redknapp was blown away by an “unbelievable” performance from one Villa star against Arsenal
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