Boubacar Kamara shares Aston Villa message, Morgan Rogers reacts
Aston Villa’s Champions League dream may be at an end this season, but Boubacar Kamara sent a rallying cry at Villa Park.
Unai Emery‘s side came back from 2-0 down on the night – and 5-1 behind on aggregate – to beat PSG 3-2 in front of a packed Villa Park, but their revival wasn’t enough to overturn the overall 5-4 scoreline.
Youri Tielemans’ deflected strike before half-time and quick-fire goals from John McGinn and Ezri Konsa within two minutes of each other had PSG on the ropes, but that would be as good as things got for Villa.
However, the Lions exit Europe’s elite with their heads held high, and after the contrasting performances of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford at Villa Park, attention will move to making an immediate return.
Aston Villa fans sent message by Boubacar Kamara
The outpouring of praise has been plentiful after Villa’s defeat, and with Arsenal in the same boat as PSG – entering their second leg with a healthy lead – Declan Rice and co will be keen to avoid such drama.
| Aston Villa | Statistic | Paris SG |
| 3 | Goals | 2 |
| 2.05 | xG | 1.69 |
| 9 / 17 | Shots on Target | 7 / 14 |
| 34% | Possession | 66% |
| 5 | Corners | 5 |
Having played a full 90 minutes in Villa’s midfield, keeping PSG penned in their own half for much of the contest, Kamara posted on Instagram (16 April) with a message which read: “Proud of the boys, we will come back.”
Kamara’s four-word promise to Villa’s fans was met with love-heart reactions from both Morgan Rogers and substitute Lamare Bogarde, and could potentially be a hint at where the Frenchman’s future lies.
Kamara contract key for Aston Villa to continue European push
With Man City’s former financial advisor Stefan Borson telling Football Insider that Villa risk breaching multiple Premier League PSR rules, revenue brought in by Champions League football is absolutely vital.
It could also be key to retaining the likes of Kamara going forward, after fans made a universal plea for the 25-year-old to stay at Villa Park and the club opened new contract talks with their number 44.
Furthermore, after ex-Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Emery’s side are in ‘pole position’ to make Rashford’s loan from Man United permanent, a European windfall certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
It remains to be seen how Villa’s transfer strategy will be affected if they don’t return to the Champions League next term, but based on their displays in this season’s competition, their absence would be felt.