Unai Emery Wants A New Deal For This 28-Year-Old Aston Villa Player: What Should The Lions Do? | OneFootball

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Unai Emery now wants Aston Villa to lock in Emiliano Buendia’s long-term future after the midfielder worked his way back into the side following his return from Bayer Leverkusen.

After a disappointing loan spell in Germany, where the coaching staff limited his minutes across 14 appearances, Buendia came back with something to prove and played his way back into Emery’s thinking with lively performances and consistent end product.

Unai Emery now wants Aston Villa to lock in Emiliano Buendia’s long-term future

While summer talk pointed towards a possible sale, his form changed that picture quickly, because the Argentine produced eight goal contributions from 882 minutes across 20 outings, playing through the middle and shifting wide when the situation demanded it.

BASEL, SWITZERLAND – DECEMBER 11: Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa goes forward during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between FC Basel 1893 and Aston Villa FC at St. Jakob-Park on December 11, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

On top of that, his stoppage-time winner against title favourites Arsenal highlighted his impact in decisive moments and boosted his standing within the squad.

Because of that, Emery now wants a new contract put in place, since Buendia has only 18 months left on his deal. Villa face PSR pressure and need continuity, and keeping reliable players like the Argentine helps steady the club during a demanding second half of the season.

What should the Lions do?

Buendia puts Aston Villa at a tricky point because his past achievements and current reality pull the club in opposite directions. On one side, his time at Norwich still carries significance, since he played with confidence, creativity, and a knack for deciding matches, and that version of Buendía still feels near enough to keep hope alive. With patience, good fitness, and a defined role under Unai Emery, Villa could still bring out that same spark at the Premier League level.

However, the clock keeps moving, and football rarely offers endless chances. Injuries disrupted his flow, but even when he stayed fit, he struggled to secure a regular place or produce numbers that justify a record fee.

Meanwhile, Emery demands energy, structure, and constant work without the ball, and the team now follows those ideas closely. If the 28-year-old cannot meet those demands week after week, Villa may need to put clear thinking ahead of emotion. In the end, the club must decide whether belief still beats proof, or whether moving forward now calls for a clean break.