Emi Buendia explains how he and Aston Villa have improved under Unai Emery
Emiliano Buendia insists Aston Villa have significantly improved under new manager Unai Emery, and that the Spaniard’s style is “perfect” for his game.
The Villans have won five of their eight Premier League since the Spaniard’s appointment in October, including wins over Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and they’ll be targeting a top-ten finish come the end of the season.
While the team have made progress under Emery, Buendia has also seen his form improve dramatically in recent weeks, scoring two goals in his last five starts since the turn of the year.
The Argentinian playmaker has started every game since Emery’s arrival and has formed an exciting trio with the likes of Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins in the Spaniard’s preferred attack.
Asked if Emery is bringing the best out of his game, Buendia responded [via BirminghamLive, 9 February]: “Yes, of course. As soon as he (Emery) came, we had a good meeting and I understood everything that he asked of me.
“I think his ideas are perfect for my game. I really enjoy every game. I’m confident and I’m working as hard as possible to be in my best shape to help the team.
“I was happy to score two goals last month, last game I was close and I always said I needed to improve in that detail in my game. I have had a few chances and the first one, Ollie was alert, and the second one was a set-piece. I try to help the team in terms of goals, giving a good pass for assists to teammates.”
He added: “We feel more freedom in the attacking areas to create good chances. In almost every game, we’ve had plenty of chances to score goals. We need to be more clinical sometimes.”
More output
Aston Villa have certainly made remarkable improvements under Emery, and arguably none more so than the little Argentinian who is finally discovering his best form this season, after enjoying a productive campaign last year.
Buendia registered four goals and six assists in the Premier League last season and has been looking to improve on that return this season.
However, the start of the campaign proved a struggle as the Villans failed to build on the promise set under Steven Gerrard in the last campaign.
Since Emery’s appointment, things have taken a huge upturn, especially Buendia who has scored two goals since the turn of the year. And considering the creative qualities in his weaponry, Emery will certainly be expecting more goal outputs from the playmaker as the Villans target an unlikely European charge for the remainder of the campaign.