“It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a child.. Representing my country, Argentina, is the greatest thing that can happen to you. I work for it every day, but first I have to do things well in my club. AND The opportunities will come. “I work for it,” says the protagonist of this story. Emiliano BuendiaThe 28-year-old is currently experiencing the best moment of his career. And he logically dreams of going to the World Cup. Lionel Scalonithe national coach has it in his portfolio.
Three minutes before closing time, he enters the Aston Villa house, barely able to hold on 1-1 against ArsenalPremier League leaders. Until, almost in the fifth minute of added time, in a commotion in the opponent’s area, he takes a completely illogical shot (between several legs) and hits the ball high into the air. Impossible for David Raya. Great goal.
The 2:1 is celebrated with everyone. “I, it was me!” he shouts at people. and even Draw Martinez (who previously had a huge save and changed hands) will greet him in midfield.
This is the story: with a stoppage-time goal from the Argentine, Aston Villa defeated Arsenal 2-1 this Saturday, which suffered its second defeat of the season and ended a run of 18 games without defeat.
Matty Cash gave the Villains the lead in the first half and the Belgian Leandro Trossard They drew with the Premier League leaders before Buendía conceded victory to the Birmingham side, who sit second in the standings, three points behind Arsenal.
The London team had not lost since the third matchday of the Premier League (1-0 against Liverpool) Late August and added since then 15 wins and three draws in all competitions.
This result, which came three days after Arsenal put their Champions League lead on the line (in Bruges), has left the English championship in the dust for some time Manchester City They beat Sunderland and finished second, just two points behind the Gunners.
Two of the strongest teams in the English Championship met at Villa Park (Aston Villa claimed their seventh win in a row) and both teams lived up to expectations with a duel full of quality, scoring opportunities and excitement.
The collision was resolved on the final play of the game when Buendía took advantage of a ball dead in the London area to put the ball into the net with the right foot and hit the trained team Unai Emery in the title race.
Since then, Arsenal have had to bear the consequences of the risk of injury, especially in central defense Mikel Arteta He couldn’t even count on the French William Salibanot even with the Brazilian Gabriel Magalhaesnot even with Spanish Christian MosqueraThe Ecuadorian Piero Hincapié and the Dutchman Jurrien Timber had to play as central defenders.
This situation led the Basque coach to think about new reinforcements in January won the Premier League for the first time since 2004 and after taking multiple second-place finishes in recent seasons.
Arsenal, who appeared to be on their way to the title, slowed their progress in the final weeks after the win only 8 of the 15 possible points.
At the same time the personal chronicle of the “villain”. The story of Emiliano Buendía, a 28-year-old man from Mar del Plata, a midfielder with national team talent, is the story of so many young people who one day travel to Europe with the conviction of finding a better football future. From San Martín Cadets, in the magnificent coastal town, to a subsidiary of Real Madridat the age of 11. He hadn’t even finished elementary school.
The selection consists of several actors (main actors, supporting actors) who have never professionally entered a field in our field. Without going any further, Draw Martínez, his teammate at Aston Villain the Premier League and Lionel Messithe universal star, the two most popular players of the national team, have never once set foot on one of our playing fields in the Professional League (nor have all the names, which have been changed over the years).
Later the steering wheel He plays with the classic number 10 and is 1.72 m tallHe moved to Getafe, the club where he made his debut in the first division. After three seasons he was loaned out to Cultural Leonesa (a second division team) and upon his return he moved to Norwich in the Championship, the major championship just below the Premier League. Three years later, with one promotion and one relegation in between, he was snapped up by Aston Villa in 2021. where he found traces of his best version.
In August 2023, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and did not return to play until early July 2024. Unai Emery, the stalwart Spanish coach, arrived in Birmingham in October 2022: They’ve always had a love-hate relationship.
However, apart from a circumstantial rumor when the doors were half open to a return to Aston Villa, he is not thinking about playing in our midst. At least not now. “I’ve always said I’m a River fan, But at the moment the truth is that I don’t see it, I don’t think about it because I hope I have many more years of my career ahead of me in Europe, which I really enjoy. We will see it in the future. River is the most beautiful club in the world, we will see what can happen,” said the modern number 10, who plays with the inspiration of the boy who dribbled on the beach.
And this Saturday he did it again.