Unai Emery received a much-needed boost as one of his star players, Emi Buendia, returned to action after a lengthy 465-day absence. Aston Villa’s U21 side faced Fleetwood in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night while the senior team had a break due to the international fixtures. Buendia’s return was highly anticipated, as the Argentinian forward had suffered an ACL injury in training just before the start of the previous season, rendering him unavailable for the entire 2023/24 campaign. This meant that Buendia’s appearance for the U21s marked his first minutes on the pitch since May 2023, when he played in Villa’s final day victory over Brighton.
Buendia wasted no time in making an impact upon his return, as he scored two goals before being substituted in the 77th minute. The 27-year-old, who was given the captain’s armband for the match, showcased his skills and demonstrated his determination to regain his form from the 2022/23 season. During that season, Buendia had been a standout performer under Emery, scoring five goals and providing three assists. He had also contributed to ten goals in the previous campaign.
However, Buendia faces stiff competition for a starting spot at Villa Park, with the likes of Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Amadou Onana also vying for the creative positions behind striker Ollie Watkins. Villa began their season with a 2-1 win against West Ham, followed by a 2-0 loss at home to Arsenal. They bounced back before the international break with a 2-1 victory against Leicester, with goals from Onana and Jhon Duran.
In other news, the Premier League has implemented several changes for the 2024/25 season. One notable alteration is the release of team news 75 minutes before kickoff, 15 minutes earlier than previous seasons. The number of substitutes allowed to warm up has also been increased from three players per team to five, potentially leading to a crowded touchline. Additional changes include adjustments to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, updates to the ‘multiball’ system, and the introduction of semi-automated offsides, although the latter change will not be implemented immediately.
Overall, Buendia’s return to action provides a much-needed boost for Unai Emery and Aston Villa, as they look to build on their positive start to the season and secure success both domestically and in European competitions. The competition for places in the team’s creative department highlights the depth and quality of Villa’s squad, which bodes well for their ambitions moving forward. As for the Premier League, the implemented changes aim to enhance the matchday experience for fans and improve the efficiency of certain aspects of the game. These alterations demonstrate the league’s commitment to continuous improvement and adapting to the evolving landscape of football.