Boubacar Kamara’s return has come at an ideal time for Aston Villa, and his partnership with £38million summer signing João Gomes could become one of Unai Emery’s most important solutions this season.
Kamara marked the end of a seven-month injury absence by scoring from the bench against BG Pathum United. Friday’s meeting with Bayern Munich now offers Emery the chance to test him against considerably stronger opposition before Paris Saint-Germain await in the UEFA Super Cup.
That matters not only because Villa have their defensive midfielder back. Kamara’s presence could also allow Gomes to play the aggressive, front-foot role which made him so effective at Wolves.
Boubacar Kamara return can give Gomes greater freedom
Gomes arrived at Villa Park with remarkable defensive numbers.
Sky Sports’ analysis of the Brazilian found that he made 380 tackles across his previous three Premier League seasons, 83 more than anybody else in the competition. No player recovered possession more frequently over the same period, while Gomes registered 1,646 pressures last season.
Those figures underline his biggest strength. Gomes wants to leave his position, attack the ball and disrupt opponents rather than simply sit in front of his centre-backs.
Kamara can provide the security which allows him to do that.
Squawka highlighted Kamara’s importance to Emery’s midfield, with the Frenchman leading Villa for interceptions before his knee injury and providing a disciplined defensive presence behind the ball.
Put the two together and Villa potentially have a complementary midfield partnership.
Kamara can hold his position, receive possession under pressure and cover the spaces behind Gomes. The Brazilian can then press higher, compete for second balls and carry possession forward once Villa regain it.
Aston Villa midfield has changed dramatically
Emery needs that partnership to work because the midfield around it looks very different.
Youri Tielemans has joined Manchester United, while Amadou Onana faces a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury. Johan Manzambi is also unavailable for the Super Cup.
ReadAstonVilla reported on Thursday that UEFA listed only four recognised midfielders in Villa’s Super Cup squad: Kamara, Gomes, John McGinn and Ross Barkley.
That places greater responsibility on the two likely central starters.
There is still a creative question. Neither Kamara nor Gomes possesses Tielemans’ passing range, which helps explain why Villa continue to be linked with another midfielder.
However, Emery may be able to compensate by changing the balance of the side. Regaining possession higher up the pitch would create attacking situations before opponents can recover their defensive shape, reducing the need to manufacture every chance through controlled possession.
Bayern test could shape PSG decision
Friday should tell Emery much more.
ReadAstonVilla has already identified Kamara’s fitness as one of five major decisions before the PSG clash. A strong hour alongside Gomes against Bayern would make starting the pair together in Salzburg considerably easier to justify.
Villa spent £38m on Gomes because they wanted intensity and Premier League-proven ball-winning ability. They already knew Kamara could provide control.
The Boubacar Kamara return may finally allow Emery to combine both qualities in the same midfield.
If the partnership works, Villa may have found the foundation of their new-look side without making another signing.
