Aston Villa: £82k-a-week star could 'push for exit' at Villa Park

Aston Villa attacking midfielder Emi Buendia ‘will be frustrated’ at his lack of game time at the club, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 25-year-old became the Villans’ record signing when he arrived from Norwich City in a £38 million deal back in 2021 but has been unable to showcase his true potential since then.

Throughout his maiden campaign with the Midlands outfit, Buendia only featured from the off on 22 occasions in the Premier League as he struggled for regular game time under both Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.

In his 35 top-flight appearances, the Argentina international registered a respectable four goals and six assists, illustrating his ability when on the pitch.

However, despite Villa’s struggles this season, Gerrard has still been reluctant to feature Buendia from the off, starting him just three times in the league while staying loyal to Philippe Coutinho.

Villa have scored just seven goals in their nine Premier League games to date, the joint-second lowest tally in the division, and their inability to create chances has been a large factor behind their struggles.

As per FBref, the Villa Park outfit has racked up an expected goals tally of just 7.3, the second-lowest total in the league, but Gerrard is still reluctant to put Buendia in his starting XI on a regular basis.

Buendia has ranked in the 94th percentile for progressive passes, 93rd for tackles, 85th for expected assists, and 83rd for aerial duels won amongst his positional peers over the last year, as per FBref.

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And Jones has informed GiveMeSport that the South American will have a ‘decision to make’ over his future if his