Alan Shearer raves about key Aston Villa player as Philippe Coutinho transfer decision looms

Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has heaped praise on Emi Buendia following Aston Villa's 3-1 win over Burnley on Saturday.

The Argentina international replaced Philippe Coutinho in Steven Gerrard's starting XI for the trip to Turf Moor and he took his opportunity to impress. Buendia made Danny Ings' opener, before he scored his first goal since the end of January - which came in the win at Everton - to double Villa's advantage before half time.

Ollie Watkins then added goal number three for Gerrard's men as he headed in John McGinn's inch-perfect delivery from the left flank. Maxwel Cornet's consolation goal ever so slightly soured Villa's victory, but Match of the Day pundit Shearer was keen to highlight Buendia's excellent performance.

Shearer said on BBC MOTD: "He was the difference. It was his first start in five games, he's up against Coutinho in terms of challenging for a spot because he's [Gerrard] not going to play both of them in the team.

"He was the best player on the pitch. He was a second or two ahead of everyone else in terms of having a picture of when the ball comes to him." Talking through Buendia's assist for Ings' goal, Shearer added: "He's looking at Ings, he knows he is going to get the pass, he knows exactly what he wants to do with it and that's what I mean by he is ahead of everyone else.

"He gets the ball, gets the touch, the weight of the ball is magnificent. It wasn't all just nicey nicey on the ball either, he did his bit off the ball in terms of winning the ball back. So he's helping on the side of things as well.

"Where Burnley really struggled, they couldn't pick him up, he often found himself in that position just in front of the back four and in behind the midfield. He