Aston Villa: Alan Hutton makes Emi Buendia admission after ‘huge hype’
Aston Villa should resist the urge to bring Emi Buendia back into the fold until next season, Alan Hutton has said.
The Argentine attacking midfielder, 27, suffered an ACL injury in August before a competitive ball had even been kicked this season.
It was reported by the Birmingham Mail (16 March) that the former Norwich City man is back doing individual work on the grass at Bodymoor Heath.
Former Villa defender Hutton is delighted to hear Buendia is making progress but thinks it would be wise to wait until next season to bring him back into the first-team fold.
“There was huge hype around him going into this season, he was in a really good place, so you’ve got to feel for him,” Hutton exclusively said to Villa News.
“I don’t think you need to rush him back, it’s a serious injury so you’ve got time on your side in terms of he doesn’t need to be playing at this moment in time.
“Of course he wants to, he’ll be desperate to but don’t rush him. And as well you’re coming to a massive part of the season where Villa can’t take chances and go ‘oh let’s just bring him in for half an hour and get him up to speed’ I don’t think they’re in a position to do that, they need to go full-throttle.
“So just watch what you’re doing with him, bide your time, even if it is for next season. I think that for him even to go into pre-season, build himself up that way and come back even stronger is absolutely perfect for Villa.
“He’s been a miss this season, I think he definitely adds something to the squad.”
Will Emi Buendia play for Aston Villa this season?
It is really exciting to hear that Buendia is building up his return at Villa Park because he is an extremely talented footballer who improves this squad.
Moreover, Nicolo Zaniolo – signed on loan from Galatasaray to cover his injury – has been hit and miss in a Villa shirt this season that is for sure.
Whether Buendia does play is massively uncertain, though. He will need to do a lot of fitness work and, like Hutton says, with not much of the season left the smart play might be to let him have a full pre-season before bringing him back.
If there’s a chance he can play, though, then you can bet your bottom dollar that Hutton will be pushing to get involved for Unai Emery’s side.
In other Aston Villa news, Don Goodman gave his view on the race for Champions League football.
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