What Emi Buendia has said about staying at Aston Villa - He has been linked with Birmingham City switch | OneFootball

The Argentinian playmaker has been linked with a controversial switch across Birmingham

Aston Villa playmaker Emi Buendia has spoken out on his long-term future at Aston Villa amid speculation of a potentially controversial cross-city switch to bitter rivals, Birmingham City.

The Second City rivals haven't been in the same division since the 2018/19 season following the Villans' play-off final success over Derby County under Dean Smith, and they are currently in the midst of a third successive European campaign after going from strength-to-strength under UEFA Europa League specialist, Unai Emery.

Blues' own predicament has also been well-documented, with Knighthead Capital Management significantly bankrolling a heavy rebuilding project both on and off the pitch, which has seen current boss Chris Davies welcome an array of statement signings during last season's record-breaking League One campaign and upon their return to the Championship.

The likes of James Beadle, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Phil Neumann, Jack Robinson, Tommy Doyle, Demarai Gray, Patrick Roberts, Kyogo Furuhashi and Marvin Ducksch are all names that fall under said bracket who moved to St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park during the summer transfer window, whilst the B9 outfit had also been linked with even more high-profile names that either moved elsewhere or remained at their current employers.

Buendia is one of those, despite the fact the Argentinian's individual future at Villa Park had previously been in doubt after seemingly falling down the pecking order.

However, with Villa unable to invest heavily in the transfer window amid a sluggish start to the campaign, the 28-year-old is enjoying a 'rebirth' of sorts, and has now outlined his personal stance amid those departure rumours.

After making a then-club-record £33m switch from Norwich City after a phenomenal 2020/21 season at Carrow Road in which 15 goals and 16 assists were posted, Buendia had been a mainstay in the side under Smith, Steven Gerrard and Emery prior to an ACL injury in 2023, before falling down the pecking order and spending the second half of last season on loan with Bayer Leverkusen.

Buendia was heavily linked with a potential move to Leeds United throughout the summer, before it was revealed that Blues had weighed up the possibility of a cross-city move, with Football Insider recently claiming that a move in January is unlikely to occur as Emery values the one-time international as an important member of the squad.

So far this season, he has made seven appearances in all competitions, enjoying a standout performance against Fulham in B6 on Sunday afternoon, scoring his first goal for the club since March 2023 with a neat close-range finish in the 3-1 success and an assist for John McGinn after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Speaking afterward, Buendia outlined that he hoped to remain at Villa Park despite the fact the club were initially prepared to sanction his departure.

“Always it was my preference to stay here because I really feel this club is my home and I feel close with everyone at the club and the fans. I think I can help this club to be even better in the future," he said via the Express and Star.

“We were really clear and together what he (Emery) wants from me and what I can do for the team.

“Obviously, I want to help as much as possible the team to be successful," Buendia stated.

Emi Buendia admission could be a huge blow to Birmingham City's shock transfer hopes

No player has crossed the Blues-Villa divide since Scott Hogan back in 2020, and for now, based off Buendia's admission, it seems as though such feats will remain intact.

The Argentine remains under contract until 2027 at present after penning an extension back in January, showcasing that Villa may still demand a significant fee for his services in January with 18 months left on his deal, especially if he continues to have a strong impact either as a starter or a substitute.

Taking the rivalry aspect aside, such comments will also be a blow for Blues, who have been crying out for a player able to dictate the game from a deeper or advanced midfield role, having struggled to create bundles of chances in any of their opening seven encounters despite the pool of talent at Davies' disposal.