Emi Buendia’s Aston Villa Comeback: A Night to Remember
Emi Buendia, the talented midfielder of Aston Villa, experienced a “special night” at Wycombe as he made his first start in over 16 months and scored a crucial goal to help his team advance in the Carabao Cup. The 27-year-old had been sidelined with a devastating ACL injury on the eve of the 2023/24 season and was unable to play at all last season. However, he made a triumphant return to training earlier this year and worked hard to build up his fitness during the pre-season in order to be ready for the start of the current campaign.
Buendia’s comeback began earlier this month when he made his first appearance in well over a year in the 3-2 victory over Everton at Villa Park. He also featured in last weekend’s win against Wolves. Although he did play for Villa’s Under-21s against Fleetwood Town at the beginning of September, captaining the side and scoring twice, it was his performance for the first-team in the Carabao Cup third-round match against Wycombe that truly showcased his talent.
In the game against Wycombe, Buendia’s header broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, setting the stage for a hard-fought victory for Villa. Jhon Duran later won and converted a penalty to secure the win, although Wycombe managed to score a consolation goal to deny Joe Gauci a clean sheet on his debut. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Buendia expressed his joy at being able to contribute to his team’s success, stating, “It was a really special night, obviously to come back and play again for this club. It is my fourth season here and I really love this football club, so to help the team with a goal, it is an amazing feeling.”
The Argentine midfielder emphasized the importance of being in the right positions to make an impact, saying, “It was where I need to be more often to get into the box. The defection came to me and I tried to head it over the goalkeeper.” Buendia also praised the depth of Villa’s squad, highlighting the quality of the team’s academy players who showed their skills in the match against Wycombe.
Left-back Ian Maatsen, who made his first start for Villa in the same game, commended Buendia for his perseverance in overcoming his injury, saying, “He [Buendia] has come a far way after his long injury. It’s great to have him back on the score sheet and hopefully he can score lots of goals for us this season.” Maatsen also expressed his own satisfaction at getting more playing time and improving his performance on the pitch, stating, “I always give my best on the pitch. I am still learning and I am so happy to be here at Villa.”
Villa’s victory over Wycombe was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination, as they faced a tough challenge from their opponents who pressed hard and pushed them to their limits. Despite the obstacles, Villa stuck to their game plan and philosophy, ultimately emerging victorious.
In conclusion, Emi Buendia’s return to the Aston Villa lineup after a long injury layoff was a cause for celebration for both the player and the fans. His goal against Wycombe not only helped the team progress in the Carabao Cup but also showcased his talent and determination to succeed. With Buendia back in top form and the team’s depth and quality on display, Villa fans have reason to be optimistic about the season ahead.
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