'Show our qualities': Emi Buendia fires Aston Villa warning ahead of Europa League final

The Argentina forward has first-hand knowledge of the Bundesliga side’s physicality, having spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen.

He stressed Villa must first earn the right to “show our qualities” in Istanbul as they bid to lift their first major trophy in 30 years.

Buendia said: “I played against them last season when I was on loan at Leverkusen. As a German team, they are physically very strong.

“They like to go into duels all around the pitch, so we know how difficult the game will be.

“It’s going to be crucial to be well prepared physically and mentally to win those small battles in the game and then try to be patient and play our football, to show our qualities.

“We know we can dominate the game as well, with our philosophy, so we have to prepare well, rest after (last Friday’s) win against Liverpool and then prepare to be more than 100 per cent for this special game.”

Buendia said victory at Besiktas Park would be “like a dream”, having endured plenty of lows at Villa Park since arriving for a then club-record fee, rising to £38million, from Norwich in 2021.

He has admitted he did not know where his future lay in the summer after returning to Birmingham having made just three league starts for Leverkusen.

The 29-year-old had missed the whole of the 2023-24 campaign due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury and struggled to win back a regular place in boss Unai Emery’s starting line-up.

But Buendia has turned his fortunes around this season, making 52 appearances in all competitions and scoring 10 goals.

“If there is one thing about myself, I will describe it as a strong character, and believing in myself,” he said.

“Obviously, every player has his own journey, and I know very well my own and how hard some moments have been, but I always believed in myself.

“And I transmit that to the coach and all the people in the club. I wanted to stay here to help, because I always feel like I can, that I could be important for this club and helping in certain moments.

“This season, personally, it has been great, but obviously with this chance to make history for the club, it will be fantastic to close this season thinking how the things were in the beginning.

“To be here now and having these chances is like a dream. I fought a lot to be in this position, and now I want to enjoy this moment, and I will work hard to get this trophy back to here.”