Aston Villa aims to move past their recent disappointment against Bournemouth with a strong performance in the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace. With the team’s packed fixture schedule, especially given their Champions League commitments, Unai Emery faces the challenge of balancing squad rotation and maintaining Villa’s competitive edge.
Traditionally, the League Cup would be a top priority, but with Villa’s resurgence in European competition, it has taken a slight backseat. However, a trophy win remains essential, as the club hasn’t claimed silverware in over two decades. During Villa’s last cup game against Wycombe, Emery rotated heavily, fielding a mostly changed lineup against the League One side. This time, however, with Crystal Palace as the opponent, it’s expected he’ll need to balance quality and freshness.
Several players, including Jhon Duran, Leon Bailey, Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley, and Emi Buendia, didn’t feature in the recent Premier League draw against Bournemouth. This could mean an opportunity for some of these sidelined players to start against Palace. One name stands out: Emi Buendia. Despite being popular among fans and previously a key player, he’s seen limited Premier League action this season, with just 20 minutes across four appearances. His exclusion from the starting XI is notable, especially given his recent strong performance against Wycombe, where he was arguably Villa’s best player.
Buendia’s limited game time has raised questions, especially as Morgan Rogers’ form has pushed him up the hierarchy, leaving Buendia with fewer opportunities. Despite being sidelined after a lengthy injury recovery, Buendia demonstrated his readiness in the EFL Cup, where he scored, and the EFL Trophy, netting twice in 77 minutes. Many fans and analysts feel Buendia deserves more time on the pitch, particularly as Rogers struggled in the recent 0-0 draw against Manchester United, where Buendia remained unused.
For the Crystal Palace match, Buendia’s inclusion seems critical, not only to showcase his skills but to also provide Villa with the creativity needed in attack. His stats this season reveal his limited minutes but highlight his efficiency whenever given a chance.