BBC pundit reveals what John McGinn told him about ‘really bad’ Aston Villa development

We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…

Alan Hutton admits Emi Buendia’s injury is a “massive blow” for Aston Villa after the attacker was ruled out for what could be the entire season.

Ahead of Villa’s defeat to Newcastle United last week, it was confirmed that Buendia, 26, suffered a “significant knee ligament injury”.

The Sun claims that the former Norwich playmaker could miss the entire 2023/24 season as a result.

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Villa lost 5-1 to Newcastle at St James’ Park without Buendia after he played a key role for Unai Emery’s side in what was an impressive pre-season.

Hutton admits that the setback has caused shockwaves at Villa Park with John McGinn revealing to him that the training-ground injury was a very serious one.

“It’s a massive blow,” Hutton told Villa News. “I think he was really starting to fulfil his potential.

In pre-season, he was excellent. He was the go-to guy and was really filling the role of being a creator in that team.

Aston Villa are very structured. Whether they play 4-3-3 or a box 4-2-2-2, he would be the guy that linked everything together. It was a massive blow.

I spoke to John McGinn about it and it was really bad.

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I’d imagine, with the season they’ve got ahead and the games they’ve got to play, I’d imagine they would bring somebody in.

You’ve got to hope he comes back even stronger.”

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