Aston Villa 'debating' offering surprise new contract to player who was transfer listed just three months ago

Aston Villa are reportedly considering offering a new contract to a player who was listed for transfer just a few months ago.

The Villans have had a mixed start to the new season, beginning terribly with no wins in their first six matches across all competitions but recently enjoying some redemption with four successive victories. Throughout this period, some fringe players have been handed opportunities to impress due to a lack of squad depth in a couple of positions and injury problems mounting in others.

Lamare Bogarde has been one of those to benefit, as he has started regularly in the midfield double pivot. The 21-year-old was previously an emergency rotation option but he’s become a key player in recent weeks, starting in the absence of Youri Tielemans. Bogarde has played so well that it could be tricky for Amadou Onana to come back in when he returns from his injury.

Villa considering new contract for playmaker

There’s been another player who has profited from Emery having fewer options than usual to choose from, and that’s Emiliano Buendia. Birmingham World understands that the one-time Argentina international was actually up for sale at the start of the summer, with Villa actively encouraging offers. But the situation has turned on its head just a few months later.

Buendia has started two of Villa’s seven Premier League matches so far this term, appearing off the bench in four others. The attacking midfielder has also started both UEFA Europa League fixtures and came on as a substitute during the Carabao Cup clash away at Brentford. Albeit not one of the first names on the team sheet, Buendia has been relied upon by Emery at times.

Now, Buendia could be the latest Villan in line for a new contract. Football Insider reports Villa are ‘debating’ offering Buendia new terms, extending his stay from his current contract expiry in June 2027. It was only in January of this year that Buendia signed his most recent extension, before he joined Bayer 04 Leverkusen on a six-month loan deal.

What role can Buendia play for Villa this season?

Buendia has already surpassed the 388 minutes he played for Villa in all competitions last campaign, racking up 446 minutes so far in 2024/25. That’s a good sign that the Argentine has headed up the midfield hierarchy in B6, though his game time has been helped by injuries to players around him.

The sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United has also had an impact, and as has the decision not to sign Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United. The depth at left midfield isn’t as strong as it was only six or so months ago, so opportunities for Buendia are more regular.

Morgan Rogers has sometimes taken up the left midfield role but that has then left the attacking midfield spot vacant, so Buendia has been able to shuffle into either. It’s a great opportunity for Villa’s number 10, but he must work hard to stay in the team with the likes of Onana and Youri Tielemans set to come back in eventually.