Exclusive: Transformed Aston Villa player who nearly quit could land new contract
Emiliano Buendia has turned around his Aston Villa career after his time at the club appeared to be over.
The playmaker, 28, came close to leaving in the summer with Leeds favourites to sign Buendia before talks collapsed.
Villa had been keen to sell the player but discussions with various clubs failed to secure an agreement for the Argentine, who had an underwhelming loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen in the previous 2024-25 campaign.
Seemingly out of Unai Emery‘s plans, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 16 September that Buendia was being targeted by Birmingham as part of a short-term loan in January.
Yet, an uptick in form has seen the former Norwich City man potentially revive his previously dwindling Villa career.
Aston Villa to open contract talks with Emiliano Buendia following recent revival
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Villains are debating giving the Argentina international a new deal after a sudden turnaround at Villa Park.
The 28-year-old bagged a goal and an assist against Fulham on 28 September which sparked a miraculous 3-1 victory as well as netting in the club’s 2-0 win over Feyenoord in the Europa League on 2 October.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast on how the number 10 has quickly forced his way back into Emery’s thinking, I explained: “He’s obviously back in favour under Unai Emery at Aston Villa, Emiliano Buendia.
“He played a big role in that comeback win against Fulham last weekend [28 September] when he came off the bench to help set up a goal and score a goal as well.
“I think that was his first Premier League goal since March 2023. But, he’s definitely back in favour at Villa, Emiliano Buendia.
“As I said, he’s regained his form and fitness and I think obviously that’s helped him win back his place in Unai Emery’s plans.
“So it would be difficult to see them even considering letting Buendia go in January. Maybe if he continues his form and continues to contribute to Villa there might be talks over a new deal he’s under contract until 2027.
“Villa will have to make a decision at some point on what they plan to do with Buendia. But, if he continues to perform like he has in recent weeks, he’s not doing his chances any harm at all.”
Aston Villa must push to hold on to fellow Argentine Emiliano Martinez amid Man United pursuit
Sources told Football Insider on 5 October that Man United are preparing to target Emiliano Martinez again after missing out on him over the summer.
The Red Devils eventually found their Andre Onana replacement in the form of Senne Lammens but the Argentine is seen as the supreme option in goal.
The Belgian would be able to be the understudy to the 33-year-old and would greatly bolster Ruben Amorim’s troublesome goalkeeper position.
Although contracted until June 2029, Villa need to quickly decide on how they manage the World Cup winners’ situation amid heavy unrest.