Aston Villa’s transfer record in the NSWE era has been a huge success.
From arriving at the club when Aston Villa were struggling in the Championship to now fighting for the Champions League in the present day, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens have always given their managers the tools to succeed.
Whether that’s transforming the academy or investing in the first team, Villa have spent plenty under their guidance and there are success stories galore to show for their spending.
The likes of Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash, Douglas Luiz and Leon Bailey all arrived for substantial fees but have equally formed the backbone of their success.
Luiz, in particular, has been revolutionised as a player since Unai Emery took to the helm, but his midfielder partner, Boubacar Kamara, deserves just as much credit as the Brazilian for their spectacular start to the season.
Not just because of his performances but for the fact he’s blown expectations out of the water after arriving on a free transfer from Marseille in 2022 and is now so important to Emery’s system.
Why Boubacar Kamara is so important to Aston Villa
Kamara never tasted what English football was like before he arrived from France, but the 24-year-old has fitted in like a hand in a glove.
After spending nearly two years in the Premier League, he has more than acclimatized and is now one of Emery’s most crucial players.
In the usual 4-4-1-1 formation deployed by the Spaniard, Kamara plays next to Luiz in a double pivot and the pair have developed an incredible partnership.
This is down to the all-round abilities of both players, however, the role that the Frenchman plays in this system has allowed the Brazilian greater freedom and he is benefiting as a result.
His ball-winning abilities put him in a certain bracket of midfielder – the one able to break up play for his team by winning tackles and interceptions.
In the Premier League this term, he ranks first in the Villa squad for tackles per game (2.4), and first for interceptions (1.1), as per Sofascore, while his incredible ability to win possession back is underscored by his average of 5.1 ball recoveries per match.
Hailed by journalist John Townley as an “imperious force” following his performance against AZ Alkmaar earlier on in the season, Kamara isn’t just someone who can shield the defence, he can also drive forward.
He’s brilliant at taking the ball in tight areas and playing through the thirds. This is a huge help to Villa when they are looking to progress play up the pitch as the centre-backs can trust he won’t lose the ball.
It’s for those exact reasons that the £150k-a-week machine is so pivotal to any success his side has this season and why he deserves to be showered with compliments like his Villa teammates.
