‘Best bargain’ Kamara at heart of Aston Villa success

The 26-year-old has quietly developed into one of the Premier League’s top midfielders.

Without Kamara, Villa won 4-1 at Arsenal on Tuesday, putting an end to their club record-equalling 11-game winning streak.

Kamara’s influence is crucial, and he is expected to make an appearance against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, despite Villa currently sitting third and their season being a fantastic success.

The France international, who was given a free transfer from Marseille in 2022, has been one of Villa’s best deals, and unquestionably one of the best in recent years.

Steven Gerrard’s Villa, then in charge, was aware of their lack of a real holding midfielder who could stablise the side and give others, like John McGinn, more freedom.

A number six who could use the ball and exercise positional discipline was a topic of conversation as to how to get the most out of Douglas Luiz.

In comparison to crucial centre-back roles, Villa took into account how overlooked and balanced midfield partnerships are and how they need to be.

Kamara could have started his career at Marseille at center-back, or he could have swung into the middle of a back three when he was in midfield.

Villa was able to understand his positional awareness and areas of interest in addition to how he would be able to build up play from the back.

A young man willing to face the spotlight at Marseille, who made his debut at age 16 after joining the club at age five, was spotted by the scouts, a player of character and bravery.

They sensed a man’s ease and calmness, which gave them confidence that he would succeed in the Premier League.

His injury history was disappointing, and he missed 17 games with knee and ankle issues in his first season.

When he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Manchester United in February 2024, which kept him out for eight months, things got worse.

Given his demands at Marseille, it was clear that he would be able to handle the demands of the Premier League and Europe.

Villa scouts compared Kamara to another potential target Cheick Doucoure, who spent the summer at Crystal Palace, after Marseille defeated them 2-0 at Lens in January 2022.

After tracking a central midfielder for more than a year, they made the decision to prioritize signing Kamara on a free transfer instead of making a decision to not do so in the winter.

Rodrigo Bentancur, a former Juventus player, was a choice, but questions arose about whether he could provide Villa with the pure holding midfielder needed and whether he could provide enough discipline in the role.

Ibrahim Sangare, who is currently at Nottingham Forest, was scouted by Gerrard for PSV Eindhoven’s Europa Conference League match against Leicester.

He also watched Kamara’s semifinal defeat by Feyenoord to Marseille in the Conference League.

However, Villa had already agreed to go through with Atletico Madrid’s signature. Villa’s scouts were certain he was the best choice.

Gerrard was still the manager who helped bring Kamara to the club despite being criticized by Villa fans for his 11-month reign, which included winning 13 of his 40 games.

Unai Emery, the Spaniard’s current boss, is reaping the rewards, with Kamara’s positional discipline and high running stats perfectly suited for the Spaniard’s structured play.

Emery gives him a very high recommendation because he thinks Kamara has laid the groundwork for Villa.

When asked if Kamara was underappreciated outside of the club, the head coach responded, “Not for us, not for me.” Because we are aware of his potential and capacity, we extended his contract last summer. He is still a child.

He was out for six or seven months last year because of an injury, but he hasn’t recovered and his playing is getting better and better.

His talent is demonstrated by the midfielder’s recovery from that serious knee injury and signing a new five-year deal in the summer to surpass his already impressive performances before he left.

Without him, Villa would only win six of their final 14 games in 2023-24 to move into the top four by two points, with their win percentage dropping from 66% to 37% overall.

Kamara, who scored a stunning winner against Wolves last month, is viewed as almost unique, capable of the unglamourous spade work without the ball at a subtle but high technical level.

Only Morgan Rogers and Matty Cash have completed 179 passes into Villa’s final third, but only Kamara has a quiet creator. Only 82.1% of the midfielder has completed it.

His 672 passes this season in the league are only slightly better than Ezri Konsa’s 994, and he has made 31 tackles in fewer games than Cash’ squad high of 32.

With 69, he has won the most ground duels and the most aerial duels at Villa. Villa have won 44% of their games with him this season, compared to 46% without him.

Since leaving Kamara’s side in 2024, Douglas Luiz has not found the same level with Juventus or is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, and McGinn has called his team-mate “one of the best midfielders in Europe.”

He improves and performs the seemingly unimportant things exceptionally well, which he does.