Matty Cash has praised Boubacar Kamara as a “difference maker” for Aston Villa and acknowledged the team’s struggles when the midfielder is unavailable. Kamara, who sustained an ACL injury in February, was sidelined for the final three months of the previous season and missed the beginning of the current campaign. During the 14 league matches he missed last season, Villa struggled defensively, conceding two or more goals in eight of those games.
Kamara made his return to action in October after a lengthy recovery from his knee injury. However, he was struck by a hamstring issue during Villa’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool just before the November international break. Despite these setbacks, Kamara showcased his talent on Wednesday with a standout performance against Juventus in the Champions League.
“He has so much natural ability, and he’s worked incredibly hard to come back from his injury,” Cash remarked. “After that, he had a slight hamstring issue, and he’s not had much time to train. To play as well as he did against Juventus, given those circumstances, is brilliant. His game is so simple; he keeps the ball well, makes fantastic interceptions, and always positions his body to block passes before finding a teammate with a smart pass. When he’s fit, he’s an essential part of our team.”
Cash was asked just how much Kamara has been missed in the team, and his response was emphatic: “A lot. He’s a crucial player for us. When he’s fit, he’s a real game-changer. He’s often underrated, though. People tend to talk about other players in the team, but Kamara doesn’t always get the attention he deserves. I’ve said it before, he’s a huge asset to us, and it’s great to see him back to his best.”
Looking ahead, Villa will be hoping to break a six-week winless streak in the Premier League when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Villa has been successful in their last two visits to Stamford Bridge under Unai Emery’s management.
“They’re doing well right now,” Cash said of Chelsea. “They’ve brought in a new manager this summer, and it seems like they’re starting to find their rhythm. It’s going to be a tough match, but we need to go there and get our league form back on track.”