The term ‘difference maker’ is associated with many of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa players.
World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez makes a huge difference when he plays. The 32-year-old is capable of producing outstanding saves to earn his side extra points.
On Wednesday night, Martinez was dubbed ‘unbelievable’ for one world-class stop he made, further strengthening his place as the planet’s best goalkeeper.
Everyone knows that striker Ollie Watkins is invaluable to Unai Emery’s squad and was largely responsible for firing Villa into the Champions League last term.
Now, Watkins is spearheading their charge for another top-four finish, with the 28-year-old scoring six and assisting twice in 12 Premier League appearances this term.
When naming the player he thinks is a ‘difference maker’ in this Aston Villa side, right-back Matty Cash surprisingly snubbed both Watkins and Martinez.
Matty Cash says Boubacar Kamara is a ‘difference-maker’
Villa’s all-action midfielder Boubacar Kamara has already shown Emery what he’s been missing during two separate spells on the sidelines.
Kamara ran the show against Juventus on Wednesday night, and the 25-year-old should start the visit to Chelsea as he’s crucial to shutting Cole Palmer down.
The Frenchman oozes class in the engine room, and his teammate Cash has waxed lyrical over his ‘unbelievable’ ability to win possession back.
Speaking about his importance to the starting XI, Cash told Birmingham Live: “He has so much ability – natural ability – and he’s worked really hard to get back during the time when he’s been injured.
“Then he had a little hamstring. He’s not really trained. How well he played against Juventus when he’s not really trained, I think he’s brilliant.
“It’s the simplicity of his game, he keeps the ball and his interceptions are unbelievable. He manages to get his body in the way and then finds a pass. Yeah, he’s a key player for us when he’s fit.”
When asked how much he’s been missed, the Poland international replied: “A lot. He’s a key player for us. When he was fit, he was a difference-maker. He’s a very underrated player.
“I think people talk about a lot of our players – but he’s not one of them that is spoken about. I’ve said that before. He’s a big asset and he’s underrated. So it’s good to have him back and playing like he is.”
Kamara and Amadou Onana can form perfect midfield partnership
Now Kamara has returned with a bang; Emery can play him alongside Belgian powerhouse Amadou Onana, with the duo potentially forming an excellent partnership.
Onana could make the matchday squad against Chelsea after suffering an injury on national duty, but even if he can’t, the 23-year-old must start moving forward.
| Amadou Onana 2024/25 Premier League per 90 stats | Statistic |
| Non-penalty goals | 0.26 |
| Pass completion | 89.3% |
| Tackles | 3.20 |
| Interceptions | 2.05 |
| Clearances | 2.05 |
| Aerials won | 1.66 |
Villa have struggled defensively this term, although starting the above pair in the base of midfield can offer them further solidity centrally while unlocking Youri Tielemans in attack.
