Boubacar Kamara alongside a circle inset of Lucas Digne.
Credit: Imago
Samuel Fabre
Fri 7 November 2025 8:40, UK
Boubacar Kamara has gone from strength to strength in an Aston Villa shirt.
The French midfielder has been exceptional since somehow arriving on a free, breaking up play and making line-breaking passes to Villa’s forwards.
The biggest question that surrounds Kamara is his ability to stay fit, and there have certainly been no doubts about his quality at the heart of the team.
Kamara has been Aston Villa’s best player this season, and despite his personal success under Unai Emery, he has been left scratching his head this week.
Credit: Imago
Boubacar Kamara left out of the latest France squad
Didier Deschamps named his 24-man squad ahead of the World Cup Qualifying matches against Ukraine and Azerbaijan, and Kamara’s omission is surprising to say the least.
He has only earned five caps for France, and whilst Kamara is entering his prime with Villa, he continues to be overlooked on an international level.
Kamara has also won 19 aerial duels, ranking in the 97th percentile for players in the whole of the Premier League this season.
Stat Kamara
Minutes played 566
Pass accuracy 89.7%
Duels won 53
Aerial duels won 19
Touches 430
Kamara’s Premier League stats (via FotMob)
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This is an incredible set of stats for a player who joined Aston Villa on a free transfer in 2022.
If the 25-year-old continues his form, there’s no reason why he can’t make a late push for the France squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Whilst Kamara will feel understandably hard done by, Lucas Digne has been rewarded by Deschamps for his impressive performances.
🇫🇷 24 Bleus appelés et 2 matchs pour valider notre ticket à la Coupe du Monde 2026 🌎
📋 Voici la liste de Didier Deschamps pour le dernier rassemblement de l’année ! 💪 pic.twitter.com/606Rlq09WY
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) November 6, 2025
View Tweet
Digne has created the most big chances of any full-back in the top flight, and it’s no shock that he wasn’t overlooked by Deschamps.
Lucas Digne has proven his value to Unai Emery
The 32-year-old joined Aston Villa in 2022, and he’s made 152 appearances in that time.
Digne struggled in the loss to Liverpool, yet his performances against Tottenham, Man City, and Fulham have shown how important he is to Villa’s chance creation.
Digne’s experience at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Everton has been invaluable to his success in B6.
With 54 caps already under his belt, Digne will be aiming to secure World Cup qualification with France during the international break.
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