Unai Emery handed Boubacar Kamara boost at Aston Villa for Crystal Palace clash
Unai Emery could welcome Boubacar Kamara back to the starting XI for the clash against Crystal Palace in a boost to the Aston Villa squad.
The Villans are preparing to welcome Oliver Glasner’s side to Villa Park on Wednesday (30 October) in a bid to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
Despite this, there could be plenty of changes to the side that drew 1-1 against Bournemouth as Emery looks to keep his side fresh.
After long-term injury worries, Kamara could come into the starting XI to make his first start since February.
Boubacar Kamara could start for Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
The Frenchman has been a serious miss for the Villans and now returns to a different side than the one he signed for back in 2022.
It won’t be an easy task for the 24-year-old to return to the starting XI in the Premier League and Champions League due to the form of Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans in recent weeks.
With that being said, the defensive midfielder still managed to show his class against Bournemouth in an eight-minute cameo off the bench.
Kamara did only register eight touches but was able to make the most of them with an 80 per cent pass accuracy across his five attempts [FotMob].
Defensively, the ex-Marseille man made an impact with one interception and two recoveries, while also winning one duel with a 100 per cent success rate.
The defensive side of his game is where he thrives, putting up an average of 1.39 interceptions, 1.39 blocks, 1.88 tackles and 1.49 aerials won per 90 across the last year [Fbref].
Kamara isn’t an attacking threat but keeps the Villans ticking over, with 61 attempted passes and a 89.6 per cent accuracy per 90.
His influence will be useful and positive for Emery across the remainder of the campaign, potentially starting with an EFL Cup clash against Crystal Palace.
In other Aston Villa news, an offer is being readied for a Boca Juniors star as an exit update emerges.
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