Emi Buendía’s spectacular goal against Tottenham Hotspur was more than another highlight for Aston Villa.
It underlined how important the Argentine is becoming to Unai Emery’s rebuilt side.
Buendía curled an outstanding effort into the top corner to make it 3-0 before Villa eventually secured a dramatic 3-2 victory.
It was his second goal in four matches after also scoring in the Champions League victory over Club Brugge.
But his contribution in north London went beyond the goal.
As The Guardian noted in its report from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Buendía also played the initial pass over Tottenham’s defensive line in the move which eventually produced Johan Manzambi’s opener.
Villa’s younger players are attracting plenty of attention.
Buendía is helping them thrive.
Emi Buendía is giving Unai Emery consistency
Villa’s attack has changed dramatically.
Nicolas Jackson has arrived to lead the line, while Johan Manzambi, Ibrahim Mbaye and other younger players are fighting for major roles.
Our Aston Villa squad guide shows just how different Emery’s attacking options now look following the summer rebuild.
Buendía offers something the younger members of that group cannot yet provide.
Experience inside Emery’s system.
The 29-year-old started each of Villa’s opening four Premier League games and also featured prominently in Europe.
His performances have not always been spectacular.
His importance comes from understanding what Emery wants in different phases of the game.
That became particularly valuable against Tottenham.
Villa spent long spells without control but needed their attacking players to recognise when opportunities appeared.
Buendía did exactly that.
Buendía’s goals are becoming increasingly important
The finishing is an added bonus.
Buendía scored Villa’s second goal during the 3-2 Champions League victory over Club Brugge earlier this month.
He has now followed that with another excellent strike against Tottenham.
The two goals have arrived during Villa’s two biggest victories of the season so far.
That matters for a side which struggled badly for attacking output during the opening weeks of the campaign.
Villa failed to score in their opening three Premier League matches before finally beginning to find solutions.
Saturday’s victory showed how much more dangerous the new attacking structure can become.
Our analysis of Johan Manzambi’s breakthrough against Tottenham examined one of the young players now forcing Emery to make difficult decisions.
Buendía looks increasingly capable of complementing them rather than blocking their development.
Buendía predicted Aston Villa youngsters would deliver
There is also an interesting connection to comments Buendía made earlier this month.
Before facing Club Brugge, the Argentine backed Villa’s summer arrivals to become major players for the club.
He specifically spoke about the potential inside Emery’s younger group, as we covered when Buendía backed Aston Villa’s new generation to become “huge players”.
Less than two weeks later, Manzambi scored and assisted at Tottenham while Buendía supplied Villa’s third.
The experienced player and the emerging talent are already working together.
That is exactly what Villa require following such significant summer change.
Aston Villa now have an attacking platform
Villa still have plenty to improve.
Tottenham created enough opportunities to punish them before the game eventually swung towards Emery’s side.
However, the attacking picture suddenly looks much healthier.
Jackson has opened his account.
Manzambi has announced himself in the Premier League.
Buendía is scoring important goals.
Villa now have a lengthy break before Brentford visit Villa Park, with every upcoming game available through our Aston Villa fixtures and results hub.
Emery is building a younger Aston Villa team.
Buendía is showing why an experienced No.10 can still be at the heart of it.
