{"id":1419403,"date":"2025-12-16T12:38:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T12:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1419403"},"modified":"2025-12-16T12:42:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T12:42:45","slug":"tactical-analysis-boubacar-kamara-aston-villa-praise","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-boubacar-kamara-aston-villa-praise\/","title":{"rendered":"Boubacar Kamara analysis: The defensive anchor powering Aston Villa\u2019s Premier League surge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Aston Villa\u2019s current six-game winning run is the longest in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Premier League<\/a> this season.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a rocky start to the campaign, Villa are flying. Indeed, the Villans failed to win their opening five league matches. A heavy home defeat to Crystal Palace suggested the Midlands side were in for a long season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-kamara-key-in-villa-s-winning-run\" data-level=\"3\">Kamara key in Villa&#8217;s winning run<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-off-the-ball-influence-vital-for-emery-s-side\" data-level=\"3\">Off-the-ball influence vital for Emery&#8217;s side<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-villa-s-tempo-setter-allows-attacking-stars-to-thrive\" data-level=\"3\">Villa&#8217;s tempo setter allows attacking stars to thrive<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet after recovering from a goal down to beat Fulham 3-1 at the end of September, Villa have turned a corner. Unai Emery\u2019s side have won 10 of their last 11 top-flight outings. The blip on the record book was a 2-0 loss at Liverpool, but Villa rarely, if ever, win at Anfield anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In that nigh-on unstoppable run, the usual suspects have caught the eye. Morgan Rogers continues to thrive under Emery. Ezri Konsa proves why he\u2019s a regular for England. Matty Cash is an unheralded star at right-back. Emiliano Buendia has shown how important he can be to this high-flying Villa side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kamara-key-in-villa-s-winning-run\">Kamara key in Villa&#8217;s winning run<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As impressive as Villa have been going forward, however, they need a defensive shield. Emery favours a 4-2-3-1 setup, and one of those at the base of the midfield needs to sit back to protect the backline. It\u2019s only fair then that Boubacar Kamara is given his flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Frenchman moved to Villa Park in 2022, and was an incredibly important addition to the squad. Villa lacked a ball winner in the middle of the park. Kamara, therefore, provided that necessary resolve. That he joined on a free transfer means there\u2019s a fair argument to be made that Kamara is Villa\u2019s best signing in the Premier League era. They certainly missed the 26-year-old during the bulk of 2024 owing to an ACL injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And as Villa weighed up a big money sale to remain within PSR guidelines, Kamara saw fit to pen a new deal until 2030 earlier in the year. The club welcomed the news with open arms. Kamara was linked with a move away from Villa over the summer as one of their more sellable assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-off-the-ball-influence-vital-for-emery-s-side\">Off-the-ball influence vital for Emery&#8217;s side<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In hindsight, the decision to rebuff any talk of an exit was for the best. Only Cash (29) has made more tackles than Kamara (27) of Aston Villa players in the Premier League this season. No Villa player has made more interceptions (12) for the club in England\u2019s top tier this term.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-1024x765.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1419407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-1024x765.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-768x573.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-358x267.png 358w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-268x200.png 268w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-80x60.png 80w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-150x112.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4-40x30.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/12\/16122758\/crossplot-export-4.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, he ranks top for aerial wins (30) for Emery\u2019s side, that in itself third of central midfielders in the division. Villa have won 15 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. They remain competitive in games <em>because<\/em> of Kamara\u2019s influence in the midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kamara\u2019s a physically imposing midfielder who is able to repel any direct attacking threats with ease. This is vital for Villa for a number of reasons. Notably, Villa boast a 53% possession average in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. With a lower possession return, opponents will so often pressure the Villa goal. Having a midfielder who is both a tough tackler and dominant aerially ensures the Villans don\u2019t always concede when teams push forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crucially, too, is that having a defensive workhorse of Kamara\u2019s ilk means Villa are rarely caught out when they do commit. The Premier League\u2019s third-placed side are one of three teams yet to concede a counter-attacking goal this season. While the likes of Rogers, Amadou Onana, Cash and Lucas Digne are prepared to support the offensive, Kamara is willing to sit back to mop up behind the quartet.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2>BOYLE Sports offer: Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a340 in free bets<\/h2>\r\n<p>Not signed up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/boylesports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BOYLE Sports<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...<\/p>\r\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\r\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} --><\/p>\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\r\n<li>Sign up to BOYLE Sports using this <a href=\"\/en\/go\/boylesports?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">link<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\r\n<li>Deposit a minimum of \u00a310 (Excluding Skrill\/Moneybookers, Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe or prepaid cards).<\/li>\r\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\r\n<li>Place a minimum bet of \u00a310 or more at odds of EVS (2.0) or greater.<\/li>\r\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\r\n<li>Receive your \u00a340 in free bets<\/li>\r\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ol>\r\n<p><!-- \/wp:list -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1393641,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/boylesports?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1425440 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-1024x323.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-1024x323.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-300x95.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-768x242.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-400x126.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-600x189.png 600w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-190x60.png 190w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-150x47.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-40x13.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448.png 1524w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\r\n<p><em>18+ New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit \u00a310. Min stake \u00a310. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out\/Free Bets won\u2019t apply. Account &amp; Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household &amp; IP Address only. T&amp;Cs Apply<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-villa-s-tempo-setter-allows-attacking-stars-to-thrive\">Villa&#8217;s tempo setter allows attacking stars to thrive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No wonder Emery once described Kamara as the \u201csort of player any coach always wants in their squad\u201d. Those that perform the nitty gritty duties rarely receive praise beyond their club and fanbase. Kamara is among those but he\u2019s been just as important to Villa\u2019s U-turn in fortunes following the sub-par start to the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The control he brings to the side cannot be overstated. Of Villa players to have started at least half of their league games, an 87.8% pass accuracy ranks third. What\u2019s more, 51 passes per 90 places fourth using the same parameters. Kamara\u2019s tidy in possession, carrying out the \u2018win and recycle possession\u2019 duties with ease. He won\u2019t play line breaking passes, opting to instead keep things simple. The simplicity to his game is what makes Kamara one of the best in his position in the Premier League. That is, of course, when he isn&#8217;t finding the top corner against Villa&#8217;s Midlands rivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Real Madrid sanctioned Claude Makelele\u2019s exit and replaced the Frenchman with David Beckham in 2003, the analogy goes that <em>Los Blancos<\/em> sold the engine of the Ferrari. Real Madrid struggled for years following Makelele\u2019s exit. The midfielder\u2019s reputation was enhanced by his absence, and the same applies to Kamara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Villa missed Kamara when he suffered an ACL injury last year. His return to fitness offered an instant reminder of his class. Now Villa sit three points off top spot ahead of Sunday\u2019s welcome of Manchester United. They\u2019ll certainly fancy their chances of a seventh successive win at United\u2019s expense this weekend. With Kamara holding down the fort, many expect the dream of all the spoils to become reality.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                    <h2 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size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Man City vs Bournemouth stats and analysis: Cherki changes the game to save Maresca blushes\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-man-city-vs-bournemouth-23-08-26\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Man City vs Bournemouth stats and analysis: Cherki changes the game to spare Maresca blushes                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/chris-smith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Chris Jones                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-how-arsenal-are-turning-up-set-piece-routines\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/08\/22163332\/Arteta220826_ID3FAX7G5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n         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handed Sky Blues &#8216;welcome to the Premier League&#8217; moment                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">4 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aston Villa\u2019s current six-game winning run is the longest in the Premier League this season. After a rocky start to the campaign, Villa are flying. Indeed, the Villans failed to win their opening five league matches. A heavy home defeat to Crystal Palace suggested the Midlands side were in for a long season. Yet after&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1419406,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Boubacar Kamara analysis: How Aston Villa\u2019s midfield anchor has driven Emery\u2019s side to a six-game winning run and Premier League title contention.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1419403","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Boubacar Kamara analysis: The defensive anchor powering Aston Villa\u2019s Premier League surge | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Boubacar Kamara analysis: How Aston Villa\u2019s midfield 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