Aston Villa have deeply missed the creativity of attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia this season.
Emiliano Buendia suffered a serious knee ligament injury in training at the start of August and is still going through his recovery.
The Argentine playmaker has missed 33 games this term, leaving Unai Emery wishing he had him to call upon.
Since arriving from Norwich City for a club-record fee in 2021, Buendia quickly became a huge part of the fabric at Villa Park as a creative force, operating anywhere behind the striker.
Given his versatility, he was often shoehorned into any position he was needed, cutting in from both flanks or offering his services as an attacking midfielder.
At the start of last year, Emery praised his ability to play in numerous positions after scoring in the 2-0 victory over Everton.
He told the Shropshire Star: “I have used him as a second striker, as a left winger, but playing inside.
“I am trying to find his best position on the pitch and how he can combine best with his team-mates on the pitch.”
It quickly became clear that Emery felt his best position was as an attacking midfielder, slotting him in behind Ollie Watkins.
He used him there ten times in the last three months of the 22/23 campaign and has since had to call upon the likes of Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo and Youri Tielemans in his absence.
Although the Belgian performed well as an attacking midfielder before his injury, Emery needs Buendia to return from his, and fast.
Why Emiliano Buendia can form a ‘delightful’ partnership with Ollie Watkins
In recent weeks, Villa have missed a sprinkle of magic that can kill off teams.
They’ve often struggled to break down teams who are content with sitting in a low block and soaking up pressure. This was particularly evident in Sunday’s goalless draw against Everton and in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield United in late December.
It’s their failure to take all three points against sides in the bottom half of the table that could cost them in their quest for Champions League football, although that issue could be resolved by the return of Buendia.
The Argentine metronome is great at finding space between the lines, taking the ball in tight spaces and shifting it onto either foot.
He’s also supremely creative in and around the box. Last season, he ranked in the top 3% against the division’s forward players for progressive passes, top 13% for passes into the final third and top 16% for shot-creating actions, as per FBref.
Once hailed as “delightful” by former manager Dean Smith for how silky he is in possession, the 27-year-old’s low centre of gravity and ability to manipulate the ball could have helped penetrate through low blocks.
Not only that, but he could have also drawn more out of Watkins, who would have surely added to his incredible total of 14 goals and 10 assists this term with the magical Buendia buzzing in behind him.
