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Unai Emery faces a new selection dilemma following a ‘crucial’ performance from an Aston Villa star against Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, but one player has given Unai Emery a selection dilemma.
Emery made ten changes to the team that drew with Bournemouth, with only John McGinn remaining in the lineup. He clearly prioritized other competitions by omitting several first-team regulars, including Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, Pau Torres, and Ezri Konsa, and instead brought on youth players.
Lamare Bogarde, Jamaldeen Jimoh, and Kadan Young came on late in the match as Villa fell to a 2-1 defeat at home.
While many players underperformed—drawing criticism from fans, particularly for Leon Bailey—one player stood out upon his return to the starting XI.
Boubacar Kamara was exceptional against Crystal Palace, much to the delight of Villa supporters, who were also pleased to see Tyrone Mings back in action. Mings performed admirably in his first senior start in over 14 months, but Kamara was arguably even better.
Partnering with McGinn in midfield, the 24-year-old quickly showcased his impressive ball-winning skills and ability to read the game. Birmingham Live described Kamara as ‘crucial’ for his outstanding performance, awarding him an 8/10 rating upon his return.
Kamara excelled at regaining possession and effectively orchestrated play alongside McGinn, prompting Emery to reconsider his midfield options.
Kamara made a strong case for a starting position, successfully auditioning for the role on Wednesday night. Throughout the season, Emery has typically favored a midfield pairing of Tielemans and Amadou Onana, often using Ross Barkley as a substitute.
However, Kamara brings a unique dynamic to the midfield, focusing on defensive duties and enhancing the team’s stability. Without him, Villa has often appeared vulnerable in the center, particularly when Onana ventures forward, a gap Kamara effectively fills.
Emery may opt to start his usual duo of Onana and Tielemans against Tottenham on Sunday, but Kamara’s impressive display has certainly given him something to consider.
