Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Wed 6 August 2025 21:40, UK

Emi Buendia appears to have forced his way into Unai Emery’s plans after returning to Aston Villa this summer.

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The Argentine spent the second half of last season on loan with Bayer Leverkusen, having made zero Premier League starts in the opening few months, unable to find a secure home.

He has struggled to reach the same heights expected of him since the Villans splashed £38million on him while at Norwich City [BBC Sport], when he notched 15 goals and 16 assists during 2020/21.

It has been one of the club’s most disappointing transfers in recent times, alongside Leander Dendoncker and Jhon Duran, who left Villa Park for Saudi Arabia after just three seasons.

Unai Emery has some tough decisions to make.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

However, the 28-year-old finally looks to have staked his case ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with Emery’s side facing a multitude of different-levelled opponents during pre-season.

While Walsall and Hansa Rostock are hardly teams to base next term off, the attacking midfielder’s first-half showing against AS Roma highlighted his extreme talents on and off the ball.

Buendia rocketed home the opening goal after 15 minutes, hitting a free-kick from close range in a Gareth Bale-style effort, beating Mile Svilar from just outside the penalty area with ease.

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In addition to his incredible goal on Wednesday, 6 August, he got stuck into challenges, turning the ball over before forcing the Serie A giants to go scampering into their own defensive third.

With the clock ticking down on the first 45 minutes, Buendia scooped a beautiful cross into the middle of the box for Ollie Watkins to head home, handing Villa a three-goal lead heading into the second half.

One player who could be concerned by the star’s performance will be John McGinn, who has taken a backseat during pre-season, with the manager clearly testing new tactics ahead of next term.

McGinn, who is the subject of interest from Everton, Football Insider understands, struggled to achieve his previous form last season, only recording four goals and six assists across all competitions.

Credit: Imago

While he has often drifted out to the left flank, a fully fit Jacob Ramsey leaves only the attacking midfield spot available for the Scotland international, and that space may no longer be available, even after Marco Asensio‘s departure.

Emery will be hoping to unlock the 2020/21 version of Buendia, and given the Argentine’s performances during pre-season, albeit against non-Premier League standard teams, will give the manager plenty to think about.

The fact that McGinn has been on the bench for the majority of Villa’s recent matches would suggest that Buendia has emerged above his teammate in the pecking order, and rightly so this summer.

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