This Tuesday at 6:45 p.m., Aston Villa begins its 2024-25 Champions League campaign. On this first day, Unai Emery’s troops will challenge Young Boys Bern and try to take their first points in the competition. A trip they will make without Boubacar Kamara. Since February 11, the Villans have had to do without the French international. Indeed, he seriously injured his right knee on February 11 against Manchester United (2-1). Coming off the field in the 65th minute, the former OM player worried everyone. The next day, the English team confirmed the bad news through a press release published on its official website.
A new milestone recently reached
“Aston Villa can confirm that Boubacar Kamara has suffered a significant knee ligament injury. The midfielder was injured in yesterday’s game against Manchester United and subsequently underwent a scan this morning. Kamara’s condition will be reviewed, before a further consultation with a knee specialist.” A huge blow for the Villans and especially for the player, who said goodbye to Euro 2024 after having already missed the 2022 World Cup. A few days later, on February 23, he underwent successful knee surgery in Lyon. The first reports from England suggested an absence of around eight months, until at least November.
Determined to come back stronger, the versatile midfielder has started his rehabilitation, between England, Dubai (three months) and Clairefontaine. He has also enjoyed his free time with his wife and their three children. Last week, he reached a new stage in his healing process. Indeed, Aston Villa revealed that the Frenchman has joined the team to participate in the start of collective training. This was a first this season. Enough to put a smile on the face of Kamara, who works hard in the gym, as well as his club, which is currently in fifth place in the Premier League standings (3 wins and 1 loss). Unai Emery was also happy for him. “Very good news. Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are starting to train with us. I think they will be available in a few weeks to be part of the team and start playing as well.”
An expected return
In his absence, the Spanish coach had to find other solutions in midfield, as English football specialist Salim Baungally explains. “When he got injured, there were several options for Unai Emery. He could have dropped back Youri Tielemans or John McGinn next to Douglas Ruiz, because when Kamara was there, it was really the Kamara-Douglas Ruiz pairing that was the starting pairing. But Douglas Ruiz left and today, there is Amadou Onana who has become an important part of this team in the middle with Tielemans, who plays in this second six role and it is going rather well. But when you see the performances of Villa since the beginning of the season, it works well with a more defensive player, Amadou Onana, and a player who projects more, Tielemans. He is managing to compensate for the absence of Kamara for the moment, who is above in terms of the quality of recovery.”
He continues: “When Kamara comes back, it’s going to be a big job again to be able to take up his position alongside Onana, who seems almost unshakeable even though he’s just arrived. So it’s going to be interesting to see how Kamara will become a key player again. Unai Emery really likes this player’s technique. He really has a recovery technique that’s well above average. The coach also appreciates his calm. On the pitch, he exudes serenity.” We can also add that he is impressive in the middle where his aggressiveness, his impact, his game intelligence and the cleanliness of his game are appreciated. A potential starter before his injury, Boubacar Kamara intends to get back on track, he who has often been praised in England since his arrival.
