Speaking exclusively to This Is Futbol, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has backed Emiliano Buendia to be a Premier League success if he joins his old side or a top-six club in the summer.
With Norwich City closing in on promotion, the Canaries will be able to offer Buendia top-flight football next season. Hendrie, however, believes the 24-year-old attacker is likely to attract interest and hopes Villa are in the conversation.
And if he does end up moving, the ex-Villa player is confident he can make that successful transition from the Championship to the Premier League just like Ollie Watkins, who is currently the top scorer at Villa Park.
On Buendia, Hendrie told TIF in an exclusive interview:
“I think a big club will definitely try and take him. I know you can say he’s done it in the Championship, but you could say that about [Said] Benrahma, you could say that about Ollie Watkins.
“I feel that Buendia, I mean we’ve seen him in a very good Norwich side in the Championship, I feel in a Villa side… wow. If I could say or had a big say in bringing players in, he’s the one on top of my list that I would bring into Aston Villa.”
Next season would not be Buendia’s first Premier League campaign, with the former Argentina youth international having played in England football’s top division last term.
To really be a success in this division, though, perhaps a move to a stronger outfit may be necessary.