Buendia is making himself feel right at home!

EMI Buendia insists he never wanted to leave Villa, despite a two-and-a-half-year wait for a Premier League goal.

- By BRIAN DICK

The 28-year-old came off the bench to score Villa's third in a 3-1 comeback win against Fulham at Villa Park on Sunday.

Having spent part of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, and missing all of 2023/24 through injury, that was the attacker's first league strike since March 2023.

It came not only against a backdrop of Villa's poor start to the season, but a summer in which it looked like the Argentine could be leaving the club.

However, appearances in seven of Villa’s eight games this term have helped the former Norwich man recover form, fitness and confidence.

A preseason heart-to-heart with manager Unai Emery and his staff also proved important.

“I have been getting better and better and getting back to getting the confidence to play regularly,” said Buendia. “We had a clear meeting with the club and coaches to get the idea together.