Boubacar Kamara

[Olof's Beard]

It's so shit, it would be the fourth season running that we miss him for the half of it. I get the point that we still finished 4th without him in 2024 but our form over the first half of the season (with Kamara) was vastly different to our form over the 2nd half of the season (without Kamara). And that carried through to last season, were we spluttered and stumbled until he regained full fitness and began to play regularly. Yes other factors always play a part - like the arrival of Rashford and Asensio last year - but the reality is that there is a direct correlation between our form and Kamara's presence.

I would expect us to maintain a top 4 place without him but it would probably kill off lingering hopes of anything more. And it will of course leave us a body short for the busy run in if we keep the Europa League run going too.

Is a whole season of Bouba too much to ask?

[paul_e]

It's so shit, it would be the fourth season running that we miss him for the half of it. I get the point that we still finished 4th without him in 2024 but our form over the first half of the season (with Kamara) was vastly different to our form over the 2nd half of the season (without Kamara). And that carried through to last season, were we spluttered and stumbled until he regained full fitness and began to play regularly. Yes other factors always play a part - like the arrival of Rashford and Asensio last year - but the reality is that there is a direct correlation between our form and Kamara's presence.

I would expect us to maintain a top 4 place without him but it would probably kill off lingering hopes of anything more. And it will of course leave us a body short for the busy run in if we keep the Europa League run going too.

Is a whole season of Bouba too much to ask?

The big other factor last season is that when he was out we also had a absolute nightmare in central defence to the point that when he was coming back there was a game or 2 of him and Bogarde as our first choice centre backs. All combined that lack of CBs and DMs is what had us struggling before christmas.

[RamboandBruno]

I wouldn’t have risked key players due to the chance of injury. This season our focus in Champions League qualification and Europa League. Our squad isn’t deep enough to fight on too many fronts. It gives me no pleasure to be proven right.

Your not in charge so I guess you dont really have a scooby doo what our focus is.

[Beard82]

I guess to some extent - maybe we need to be realistic - he'll have big spells out most seasons. 

[KevinGage]

It's so shit, it would be the fourth season running that we miss him for the half of it. I get the point that we still finished 4th without him in 2024 but our form over the first half of the season (with Kamara) was vastly different to our form over the 2nd half of the season (without Kamara). And that carried through to last season, were we spluttered and stumbled until he regained full fitness and began to play regularly. Yes other factors always play a part - like the arrival of Rashford and Asensio last year - but the reality is that there is a direct correlation between our form and Kamara's presence.

I would expect us to maintain a top 4 place without him but it would probably kill off lingering hopes of anything more. And it will of course leave us a body short for the busy run in if we keep the Europa League run going too.

Is a whole season of Bouba too much to ask?

With 13 wins already on the board we *shouid* be good enough for top 4 with seven more wins.

Without Bouba for an extended period of time (and flogging our best attacking option from the bench) even that reasonable number might be hard to attain.

[N'ZMAV]

Starting to think we need to get someone in longer term to either play alongside or at least be available to cover Kamara for the usual half a season he's crocked for - feel sorry for the guy

[lovejoy]

I wouldn’t have risked key players due to the chance of injury. This season our focus in Champions League qualification and Europa League. Our squad isn’t deep enough to fight on too many fronts. It gives me no pleasure to be proven right.

Your not in charge so I guess you dont really have a scooby doo what our focus is.

I know but I am a supporter so I do have skin in the game and without being directly involved I come on to a forum to discuss such views. Just like you.

[Crown Hill]

I’ve watched it now and unai corrects himself. He says out for a long time and then says no actually hopefully not such a long time. I think he just misspoke.

[Brazilian Villain]

I’ve watched it now and unai corrects himself. He says out for a long time and then says no actually hopefully not such a long time. I think he just misspoke.

I watched the video of the presser, and agree. His comments looked worse on paper than they sounded.

[garyellis]

I’ve watched it now and unai corrects himself. He says out for a long time and then says no actually hopefully not such a long time. I think he just misspoke.

If you are correct you deserve an award for such attention to detail

[BoVillan esq]

I’ve watched it now and unai corrects himself. He says out for a long time and then says no actually hopefully not such a long time. I think he just misspoke.

That's right, so the first 'Long time' was the Spanish version, so, laid back, cool, relaxed, manyana, then he realised he's in the UK and we got the accelerated version

[Crown Hill]

My guess would be he meant it’s going to be longer than 2-3 weeks as originally declared but hopefully not too long.

[kippaxvilla2]

He’s going to be back when he’s fit is what I gathered from it.

[Ian.]

I’ve watched it now and unai corrects himself. He says out for a long time and then says no actually hopefully not such a long time. I think he just misspoke.

I watched the video of the presser, and agree. His comments looked worse on paper than they sounded.

So he’s back for the cup final to help us win it. Or maybe we should rest him, just incase he hurts himself.

[Ian.]

I want us to win the cup, shouldn’t  we all want that? Let’s try and win everything we’re left to play in, otherwise what’s the point? Players are not too tired, like Lee says, injuries like thatncan have anywhere.

FFS, my career as a Sunday aging footballer was ended dislocating my big toe reaching up to a high shelf and using my kids cot instead of getting a stool!

You're lucky, Im not sure Onana would have pulled through an injury like that

I am lucky, if I had my Villa shirt on I’d probably still be injured for another thirty years give or take.