Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia has endured a season to forget after sustaining an ACL injury in August 2023.
It’s been a long road to recovery for the 27-year-old, who hasn’t featured during the 2023/24 season.
However, on Thursday, the Villans were finally given some good news of the Argentinian’s return to action.
A picture of Buendia returning to solo training was shared on Villa’s official X account.
Of course, the images have caused excitement, and now Unai Emery has revealed whether the midfielder will feature before the end of the season.
Unai Emery shares Emi Buendia injury update
Talking to Birmingham Live, the Spaniard confirmed that he’s hopeful the attacking midfielder can return to full training before the end of the season.
However, the Villa boss confirmed that Buendia wouldn’t feature in his first-team plans this season.
“Always they are in our mind,” Emery said. “They have spirit and they support us in the training ground. I think all the season they are going to be out, but hopefully they can train at the end of the season. Then starting next season being fine to come back like before.”
The 27-year-old’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time in his career. He’s in his prime years and could have made a significant impact during the 2023/24 season.
In the summer of 2023, Emery sympathised with the attacking midfielder. “It’s the worst in football for the player, for us, for the club, for the teammates. Last year, we had Diego Carlos, and it was different. Yesterday, it was the last action in the training he [Buendia] had an injury,” he told Birmingham Live.
With Tyrone Mings also set to return, the 2024/25 season is one to get excited about. Furthermore, the boost could alleviate some requirements in the transfermarket. Buendia and Mings will almost feel like new signings for the Villa boss.
The club will tread carefully regarding their reintroduction to first-team proceedings; pre-season has come at the perfect time for the pair as they look to regain full fitness.
