Emi Buendia confident best days are ahead after revealing why he stayed at Aston Villa

The playmaker scored for the first time in the Premier League for two-and-a-half years in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Fulham.

Buendia, Villa’s former record signing, appeared to have played his last match for the club when he joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the second half of last season.

But the German club opted not to trigger their option to buy the 28-year-old permanently and after returning to Villa this summer, he made clear his desire to stay and fight for a place in Emery’s team despite interest from elsewhere.

Buendia, who missed the entire 2023-24 season through injury, believes his best days with the club are still to come.

He said: “I feel I have been getting better and better and getting back the confidence to play regularly. 

“We had a clear meeting with the club and coaches to get the idea together. 

“Always it was my preference to stay here because I really feel this club is my home and I feel close with everyone at the club and the fans. I think I can help this club to be even better in the future.”

Emery was initially prepared to let Buendia leave in the transfer window but changed his mind after speaking to the Argentina international and seeing his commitment in pre-season.

Buendia continued: “We were really clear and together what he wants from me and what I can do for the team. 

“Obviously, I want to help as much as possible the team to be successful.”

He continued: “From the first moment I came to pre-season I worked really hard to get in the best shape. 

“I felt quite well in pre-season, getting back with the team because the last months I had been on loan and we had not played together for a while. 

“I had to get back in the rhythm of the team and the idea and philosophy of this club. I was feeling well, helping the team in pre-season and then also helping in the Premier League.”

Buendia’s impact off the bench was key to Villa beating the Cottagers for their first league win of the season.

Replacing Harvey Elliott at half-time with the scores level at 1-1, he assisted John McGinn for the goal which put Villa ahead and then found the net himself for the first time in the top flight since March, 2023.

“I wanted to impact the game as quick as possible,” said Buendia. “Even having a few losses of the ball with the first touches I had, trying to get the rhythm of the game. 

“At this level it is hard but I keep trying, keep asking for the ball to do my game. 

“I managed to find McGinn with some advantage, obviously he made the rest with a driving run and an amazing shot from outside the box.”

Villa have now recorded back-to-back wins after failing to win any of their first six matches of the season and Buendia continued: “We know inside how good we are and the team showed it in the last campaign. 

“We know the quality we have and we know hard it is. We have to work harder and harder because teams are going to prepare better for games against us. 

“After disappointing results in the beginning I think the last two results are going to help to improve the confidence.”