"Finding it difficult" - Journalist now drops claim involving big-money Aston Villa signing

Aston Villa forward Emiliano Buendia has struggled to establish himself in the team’s starting XI due to the arrival of Philippe Coutinho, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Coutinho joined on loan from Barcelona in January, and has had a positive impact on Steven Gerrard’s side, but this has negatively affected Buendia’s game time.

When Coutinho first arrived, it seemed Gerrard was determined to fit him and Buendia into his line-up.

The pair started four straight games together in the top-flight as Villa largely relied on a 4-3-2-1 formation, with Coutinho and Buendia behind the lone striker.

However, Gerrard has switched things up lately and moved almost exclusively to a 4-3-1-2 system to accommodate Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings up front.

Coutinho has remained in the team, and racked up seven goal contributions for the Villans, while Buendia has been predominantly restricted to cameo appearances off the bench. He has started just one of Villa’s last seven league games.

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Buendia has had a disappointing debut campaign in the Midlands, even before Coutinho came into the squad. His return of two goals and four assists is underwhelming for someone who is the most expensive player in Villa’s history.

O’Rourke feels Buendia’s chance to impress has become trickier since Coutinho was brought in at the start of the year.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Buendia is finding it difficult in recent weeks to get into that team, with Coutinho ahead of him in that No. 10 role, which Buendia would favour himself as well.”

Gerrard has not minced his words in recent weeks as he has claimed that his squad are playing for their futures, and need to show him that they deserve to