Aston Villa Make A U-Turn Regarding 29-Year-Old’s Future: Why They Must Prioritise His Extension? | OneFootball

Aston Villa currently sit in a strong fourth place in the Premier League as the 2025/26 season enters its final phase. Unai Emery has turned the team into a real threat to the traditional big six, shown by their recent 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest and a solid 3-1 win over Bologna in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Fans can feel the momentum building around the club, especially as the team play a high-pressing, technical style that has them right in the contention for Champions League football. Tomorrow brings another huge European test as they host the second leg against Bologna, and the atmosphere at Villa Park is expected to be intense given the club’s current run.

Emiliano Buendia prepares for new contract talks

Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider reports that Aston Villa plan to start contract talks with Argentine playmaker Emiliano Buendia once the season ends. The 29-year-old has seen a massive shift in his fortunes after spending the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen. While Unai Emery previously seemed okay with the midfielder leaving, the Spaniard now sees Buendia as a key part of his plans for the 2026/27 campaign.

Buendia has repaid that trust with 5 goals and 2 assists in 30 league games so far. His underlying stats are just as impressive; his Non-Penalty Expected Goals (npxG) per 90 minutes is 0.34, putting him in the top 89th percentile of Premier League players. This shows he is a constant goal threat from midfield, while his 1.52 key passes per game prove he’s still a creative force. (stats via Footy Stats)

Villa want to sort his future now since he enters the final year of his contract this summer, and the board is mindful of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Keeping a proven player like Buendia helps the club stay stable while staying within financial rules.

Why must Aston Villa prioritise the Argentine’s extension?

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Emi Buendia of Aston Villa looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on March 15, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Tying Buendia down to a new deal is a smart move for a club trying to balance big ambitions with tight financial limits. His ability to play several roles across the attack gives Emery tactical options that few others in the squad can offer. Losing a player of his quality for a low fee, or for free next year, would leave a big gap in the squad that would be expensive to fill.

By agreeing to new terms, the club protect the value of a player in his prime who already knows the manager’s system inside out. Buendia’s comeback shows that improving from within often works better than taking expensive gambles on new signings. Keeping him at Villa Park ensures the squad has the quality needed to handle both the Premier League and Europe again next year.