Emi Buendia believes Aston Villa can topple Brighton in Premier League before World Cup break
Emi Buendia believes Aston Villa can come away from Brighton with three points on Sunday 13th November in the last game before the World Cup break.
The Villans travel to the Amex Stadium having beaten Manchester United 3-1 in the Premier League last weekend and will hope to carry forward that momentum as they look to climb the Premier League table.
Emery’s opposite number Roberto de Zerbi has started fantastically at Brighton after taking the reins from the club’s long-term manager Graham Potter. The Seagulls arrive having scored 10 goals through three consecutive wins and will pose a serious threat to Aston Villa’s defence.
However, Buendia, who has started the past three league matches, believes that although Brighton will be a tough test, their side has the tools to claim all three points.
When speaking to the Aston Villa club website, he said: “Every game in this league is very difficult and complicated.
“They’re doing a very good job this season. They’ve changed their manager and they’ve had a small transition, but they’re a very good team.
“They want to play a good style; they want to keep possession. We can hurt them.
“With my style, I can find good spaces to create and make chances to score goals. It’s going to be a very good game.”
Second Chance
For Buendia, the arrival of Emery spells a second chance to impress in a Claret and Blue shirt following an unusually poor season to date.
Often played out of position under Steven Gerrard or used as a substitute for the favoured Philippe Coutinho, the 25-year-old has found it hard to get consistent game time since his £35million move from Norwich City.
The Argentine attacking midfielder is a magnificent player when at his best as he proved during his time at The Canaries, scoring 15 goals and notching up 17 assists during a brilliant 2020/21 Championship campaign.
If Emery does stick to the 4-2-2-2 formation he played last week against United, it should suit Buendia’s positioning and attributes perfectly. Playing as one of the more advanced two midfielders, Buendia can receive the ball, turn, look up and play passes in behind the opposition back four for the likes of Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins to chase.
In other news, John McGinn puzzle must be top of Unai Emery to-do list at Aston Villa.