Buendia has been transformed by Gerrard after Aston Villa reveal – Agbonlahor
Emiliano Buendia has been transformed by Steven Gerrard’s arrival at Aston Villa, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer claimed Buendia has “turned a corner” after his slow start to life at the club.
He moved to Villa Park for a club-record fee of an initial £33million over the summer from Norwich City.
He only scored once and provided one assist in nine Premier League games under Dean Smith before his sacking last month.
The 24-year-old has featured in all four games under Gerrard, including three starts, and provided the assist for their opening goal in the 2-1 win over Leicester City at the weekend.
According to sofascore, Buendia completed the most duels of any player (4) in the win over Leicester.
“Buendia is looking better,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I thought he had been disappointing until Gerrard arrived. In recent games, he’s looked better, very good on the ball with nice little touches and turns.
“Sometimes that last pass can be better but he’s definitely turned the corner.
“For a big-money signing like he is, he has to do it every game. Gerrard will be demanding it every game.
“Can you get an assist or a goal every game? He’s got the quality, we’ve seen that. It’s about consistency now. In every game he plays in, can he have an impact?
“But I’ve definitely seen improvements, that’s what Villa fans want to keep seeing.
“When you replace a player like Grealish, you have to have an influence on the game and he has started doing that.”
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