Just one year ago, Aston Villa just about survived on the final day of the season. Now, they look set to beat Arsenal to the signature of the Championship’s best player last season, Emi Buendia. They have gone from a ship more resemblant of the Titanic to one in cruise control. Last summer was special and crucial as Villa got it right and have risen since as a result.
Yet, no one could have predicted that they’d rise both in the standings and the transfer market. To have a larger attraction than a classic top six club takes some doing, but Dean Smith’s side seem to have discovered that allure. Meanwhile, Arsenal have completely lost their way in both aforementioned aspects.
Aston Villa Set to Sign Emi Buendia
Arsenal and Aston Villa: Two Clubs on Contrasting Paths
The fact that, as reported by Charles Watts of Goal, Aston Villa are set to beat Arsenal to a transfer worth just a meagre £30 million proves just how far both the mighty have fallen and how high the previous underdogs have risen. A fee in that region for such a talented play is a bargain that anybody should recognise, but, once again, the Gunners have been caught napping.
As for Aston Villa, if reports are to be believed, they’ll have Ollie Watkins, Jack Grealish, Bertrand Traore, John McGinn and Emi Buendia to call upon in attack. Add the strong defensive foundation that they have already formed, and Dean Smith’s side could produce another fantastic season.
Emiliano Buendia: The Ultimate Creative Package
As alluded to before, signing Buendia for a fee as low as £30 million is a bargain deal. He is the ultimate package when it comes to creativity. He has proven it in the Premier League and was far too good for the rest of the Championship to cope. Even when Norwich City faced the drop in the 19/20 season, the Argentine still recorded seven assists and create nine big chances and threaded 17 through balls.
To put those stats into perspective, that is the same amount of goal involvements as Bernardo Silva this season, more through balls and chances created. The fact is, even when his teammates were failing, Buendia was proving his quality.
In the Championship, he only increased his market value, too- winning the player of the season award and tallying 15 goals and 11 assists. For Arsenal to let Aston Villa beat them to a player of that quality highlights just how poor a position the Gunners are in, both on and off the pitch.
It is almost scandalous to think that Arsenal were part of the English sides helping to form a European Super League after a finish as low as eighth. As for Aston Villa, should they complete the deal, the only way will be up for them.
If you believed they and Jack Grealish were impressive last season, just wait until Dean Smith has Emi Buendia at his disposal. He’ll have the opportunity to prove that last season’s bursts of form was no fluke.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
