Revealed: Birmingham City's chances of completing January deal for Aston Villa star
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Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Tue 16 September 2025 12:28, UK
Birmingham City face obstacles in completing a deal to sign Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendia in January, sources have told Football Insider.
Birmingham were reportedly exploring a move for Buendia during the summer transfer window, but what would have been a shocking and highly controversial transfer never materialised.
There have been rumours that the Championship side could return for the Argentine in the new year, and make him the first player to move between the two rivals since Scott Hogan joined the Blues in 2020.
However, sources say that the switch is unlikely to be resurrected in January, with Unai Emery unwilling to lose any more attacking players.
Credit: Getty
Over the summer, it had looked almost inevitable that Buendia would be leaving Aston Villa, as the 28-year-old sat well down the pecking order under Emery.
The former Norwich attacker even spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, as he was surplus to requirements at Villa Park.
Despite the rumours of an exit, Buendia has stayed with the Midlands giants and is now being heavily utilised in the Premier League.
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With Villa lacking an attacking spark, Emery has turned to the Argentinian international, who has featured in each of the last three games in the league.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa may have no choice but to sack Emery if their poor run of form continues.
Credit: Imago
That is according to their former scout Mick Brown, who claims that, while the Spaniard has credit in the bank, it will only last him so long.
Following Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Everton, they have now gone four games without a goal or a win at the start of the Premier League season.
Emery is not thought to be under any immediate pressure, but should his side go five, six, or even seven games without a goal or a win, a decision will have to be made.
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