Emiliano Buendía has become a firm fans' favourite since joining Aston Villa in the summer of 2021. Endearing himself immediately to Villa supporters for his work-rate and quality, Buendía made 37 appearances in his first season at Villa Park.
He followed that up by featuring in all 41 of Villa's games in 2022/23, scoring five goals and registering three assists.
After a lengthy spell out injured, Buendía made his senior return in September 2024, making a further 18 appearances in the first half of the 2024/25 campaign. The January transfer window saw him sign a contract extension and join Bayer Leverkusen on loan, scoring twice in 14 outings for the German side.
His most successful season in claret and blue came in 2025/26 as Buendía enjoyed 54 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.
Buendía's most notable strike came in stunning style as he scored a superb 20-yard effort to double Villa's advantage in the UEFA Europa League final, with Unai Emery's side going on to down Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul and lift the club's first major trophy for 30 years.
His breathtaking finish, as well as providing an assist for Morgan Rogers' third goal, ensured the Argentinian claimed the 2026 Europa League final Player of the Match award, as well as being named in the 2025/26 Europa League Team of the Season.
He also netted in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the European competition, as well as memorable league goals at home to Arsenal and away at Tottenham Hotspur to seal celebrated victories.
Buendía spent three years with Norwich City before joining Villa, winning two Championship titles and picking up the EFL Championship Player of the Year award after a sparkling 2020/21 season. The Argentine made 121 appearances in East Anglia, scoring 24 goals and notching 42 assists after joining from Getafe in 2018.
A Real Madrid player in his youth, Buendía was called up by Argentina’s senior squad for the first time in June 2021. He made his debut for his country in February 2022, coming on a second-half substitute against Colombia.
