Mbwana Samatta has explained why his Aston Villa spell failed to go to plan, telling Het Nieuwsblad the covid crisis made the challenge of adapting to life in the Premier League even more difficult.
It’s easy to forget now, given Samatta scored just once in 14 league games for Villa before leaving at a £4 million loss, that the Tanzania international made an impressive start to life in claret and blue.
Samatta opened his account in only his second appearance for the Midlands giants, a consolation in the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, and scored in the League Cup final against Manchester City.
But then came covid and, in the blink of an eye, the 28-year-old found himself stuck at home in a country he barely knew. His flying start ground to a halt.
“It started with corona. That was a little bit **** for all clubs and players but I had just arrived! I had to adapt to a new club, culture and competition – and suddenly everything came to a halt. (It was) a real shame because I had just scored in the League Cup final,” sighs Samatta, who was sold to Fenerbahce just a few months after arriving in England.
“When everything restarted, it didn’t go as planned. Not for the team – it was a fight for preservation – and not for myself.
“Dean Smith was ok. I just struggled like many other players.”
How is Mbwana Samatta getting on after leaving Aston Villa?
Samatta, who is now looking to recapture his prolific KRC Genk form back in Belgium at Royal Antwerp, admits a niggling hamstring problem also made life at Villa Park more difficult than it might have been.
The departure of Suso Garcia Pitarch – the sporting director who brought him to England in the first place – didn’t help either.
“(Suso’s exit) played a part, yes, because his successor (Johan Lange) had other ideas,” Samatta adds.
“I don’t think anyone saw (my departure) coming. But hey, who knows, I may one day get started again? I still have the qualities for it, I think, and, if that doesn’t work, so be it.
“Playing in the Premier League was a childhood dream. I am so grateful to have been able to play against giants like Man City, United and Chelsea. Unbelievable!
“To be honest, leaving the Premier League for the Turkish Super Lig was difficult. That didn’t feel right. But ok, when Fenerbahce comes you don’t think twice. It’s a big club – bigger than Villa.
“So yes. It had pros and cons.”
Aston Villa fans won’t like to be labelled a smaller club than Fenerbahce. Whatever the comparison, Samatta was labelled a “huge disappointment” by the Turkish press after scoring just six goals in 33 games at Fener.
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