Boubacar Kamara is starting to look like the player Aston Villa have built their midfield around as he develops during a key period for Unai Emery.
The start of the 2026/27 campaign has been a turbulent one for Villa. There’s been a number of changes to their squad. New signings have taken time to settle. Some of their senior players have failed to get back to their best form.
Kamara was one of those who were questioned after suffering a major knee injury. He seems to be finding the form that has made him so influential in recent times.
The Frenchman has become an influential player as Villa have performed well. He’s played a big part in the wins over Fenerbahce, Newcastle United and Manchester City.
Kamara’s numbers show a clear improvement
The midfielder has clearly improved since the start of the season.
He scored an average of 6.55 in his first six games (including the UEFA Super Cup). He has increased this to 7.31 in his past five games.
This is better than his average score of 7.11 from last season, where he played 45 minutes or more. He only managed to do this in 18 games before his season was cut short due to injury.
His recovery was never likely to be straightforward. Kamara had suffered two significant knee injuries in less than two years and had not played a competitive match since January before returning.
He had to adapt to a new midfield as Youri Tielemans left on his move to Manchester United over the summer. Amadou Onana has been ruled out for most of the campaign with a knee injury.
Kamara has had to forge some new relationships, having played alongside Joao Gomes in seven games and Ross Barkley in four across all competitions.
Emery is seeing more than defensive quality
While Kamara’s strengths at protecting the defence and winning the ball back have never been questioned, his performance has had more to offer this season.
He has run the second most miles of any Premier League player this season (26th).
He has also become more willing to support attacks and move into advanced positions. That added energy gives Emery another option when Villa looks to progress the ball and put opponents under pressure.
Kamara was a shining example in the game against Fenerbahce. He won the ball back in the opposition half and played a key pass to Nicolas Jackson to score the opening goal.
On top of this, he put in some key defensive displays in Villa’s Premier League wins against Newcastle and Manchester City.
This has helped him get back into the form that made him one of Villa’s most respected players.
Kamara could be crucial to Villa’s ambitions
The fact that Villa have picked up more wins recently coincides with Kamara being back to his best.
Emery will want some senior players in his squad to give some stability to the new summer recruits. Kamara’s increasing influence gives Villa a reliable presence in an area of the pitch which has changed considerably.
There is optimism too with regard to his performances.
Villa fans know just how good the Frenchman can be when fully fit, and it appears he is getting back to that form.
Providing Kamara can continue to perform as he has, Emery will have a key player at his disposal as Villa look to improve upon their improved start to the season.
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