Emiliano Buendia shines on Aston Villa return

Aston Villa Under-21's faced Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and the team news before the game had all Villa fans talking. Aston Villa came away from Highbury with a 3-2 victory to advance to the next round and everyone was talking about the quality Emi Buendia displayed.

Exciting team news

Before the game, it was rumoured that Tyrone Mings might make a return to competitive action for the first time following his ACL injury suffered on the opening day of the 2023/24 campaign. However, the team sheet was released and Mings was not a part of the young Villa side. Although, there was excitement for Villa fans as Emiliano Buendia was named in the starting line-up as captain.

Buendia has featured in the matchday squad on all three occasions so far for Aston Villa during the new Premier League season but hasn't played a part from the substitutes bench. Therefore, this would be Buendia's first return to action in 465 days since Villa's win over Brighton on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign. It was in pre-season last year that Buendia suffered his traumatic injury and his return has been eagerly awaited for by the Villa faithful.

In other team news, Ross Barkley started alongside Buendia in midfield whilst Jacob Ramsey started on the substitutes bench.

Buendia's emphatic return to action

The Argentinian international scored a first-half double to give the Villa side a 2-0 lead at half time. His first came just before the half-hour mark. His first goal was a volley from an out-swinging corner. The ball floated to the back post where Buendia had drifted into some space from the edge of the box and with his right foot he hit it first time into the far corner. A serious glimpse of his quality.

His second goal was a tap-in from close range after drifting into a good position to finish from a low cross to give Villa a healthy lead. In front of Unai Emery, who was watching from the stands, Buendia demonstrated the quality that Villa has been missing for so long. What was also impressive was his leadership. With the captain's armband on, Buendia was seen encouraging and advising his young colleagues regularly throughout the first half which would have been very pleasing to see for Emery.

Buendia was replaced was replaced with just over ten minutes left to play not long after he had a great chance to complete his hat-trick. Jacob Ramsey laid the ball in his path only for his effort to be saved by Fleetwood keeper Lynch.

UTV