He’s just ZERO! Enough is enough! This will get worse if nothing is done!

Aston Villa Fans Tear into ONE Player Who Was the Bad Egg Even With the Win Against Brighton

Aston Villa’s recent victory against Brighton & Hove Albion should have been a moment of pure celebration for the Villa faithful. A hard-fought win, a testament to the team’s resilience and Unai Emery’s tactical nous, was secured at Villa Park, sending the fans into raptures. The 2-1 triumph showcased Villa’s attacking flair and defensive grit, with goals from Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers proving decisive. Yet, amidst the jubilation, a dark cloud lingered over the performance of one player, who has since become the focal point of fan frustration. That player? None other than Emiliano Buendía.

The Argentine midfielder, once heralded as a creative genius capable of unlocking defenses with a flick of his boot, has found himself under intense scrutiny. Despite the win, Villa fans took to social media platforms like X and fan forums to vent their spleen, pinpointing Buendía as the “bad egg” whose lackluster display nearly cost the team dearly. It’s a curious case—how can a player on a winning side attract such ire? Let’s dive into the match, the fans’ reactions, and why Buendía has become the lightning rod for discontent.

The game itself was a rollercoaster. Brighton, known for their possession-based style under Roberto De Zerbi, came to Villa Park with confidence. They controlled large spells of the first half, with their intricate passing patterns leaving Villa chasing shadows at times. However, Villa’s counter-attacking prowess shone through. Watkins’ clinical finish in the 23rd minute gave the home side the lead, and Rogers’ second-half strike seemed to seal the deal. Brighton pulled one back late through Simon Adingra, setting up a nervy finish, but Villa held firm. On paper, it was a classic Emery masterclass—absorb pressure, strike on the break, and defend with discipline.

So where does Buendía fit into this narrative of triumph? The 28-year-old started in the No. 10 role, tasked with linking midfield and attack, a position where his vision and technical ability should thrive. Yet, throughout the 68 minutes he was on the pitch, Buendía was a shadow of the player Villa fans fell in love with during his Norwich City days. His stats from the game tell a damning story: zero shots, zero key passes, a pass accuracy of just 73%, and a staggering 12 instances of losing possession. For a player expected to be the creative heartbeat, these numbers are unforgivable, win or no win.

Fans were quick to pounce. On X, one supporter wrote, “Buendía was an absolute passenger today. How does he lose the ball that many times and offer nothing going forward? Embarrassing even in a win.” Another chimed in, “Emery needs to wake up and drop Buendía. He’s a liability—Brighton could’ve punished us if they were sharper.” The sentiment was echoed across Villa fan groups, with many pointing to his lack of intensity and poor decision-making as the reasons Villa struggled to assert dominance in midfield.

It’s worth noting that Buendía’s season has been a mixed bag. After missing the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign due to a devastating ACL injury, his return was met with optimism. Fans hoped the flair and guile that saw him rack up 15 goals and 16 assists in Norwich’s 2020-21 Championship-winning season would resurface. But 2024-25 has been a slow burn. While he’s shown flashes of brilliance—most notably a stunning assist in a draw against Manchester United—consistency has eluded him. Against Brighton, that inconsistency morphed into outright mediocrity, and the fans’ patience appears to have snapped.

What makes this backlash particularly fascinating is the context of the win. Villa took all three points, climbing into the upper echelons of the Premier League table and keeping their European ambitions alive. Historically, a victory papers over cracks, but not this time. The Villa faithful, perhaps emboldened by the high standards Emery has set, refused to let Buendía’s subpar showing slide. It’s a sign of how far the club has come—mediocrity is no longer tolerated, even in victory.

Some might argue the criticism is harsh. Buendía’s role requires risk-taking—threading passes through tight spaces inevitably leads to turnovers. Brighton’s high press also made life difficult for Villa’s midfield, with John McGinn and Youri Tielemans also struggling at times. Yet, the spotlight remains on Buendía, perhaps because of the pedestal he’s been placed on. When he joined Villa for a then-club-record £33 million in 2021, he was billed as the marquee signing to elevate the team. That promise, coupled with his injury setbacks, has created a narrative where every misstep is magnified.

Emery, ever the pragmatist, substituted Buendía in the 68th minute for Jacob Ramsey, a move that shifted the game’s momentum. Ramsey’s energy and directness helped Villa regain control, further highlighting Buendía’s deficiencies. Post-match, Emery was diplomatic, praising the team’s collective effort but sidestepping direct criticism of individuals. However, his decision to hook Buendía early speaks volumes—he saw the same flaws the fans did.

Where does this leave Buendía? At 28, he’s at a crossroads. His talent is undeniable, but the Premier League demands more than sporadic moments of magic. Villa’s aspirations—Champions League football, a sustained title challenge—require every player to pull their weight. If Buendía can’t adapt to Emery’s high-intensity system, his days as a starter could be numbered. The emergence of Ramsey and the versatility of players like Rogers only heighten the pressure.

For now, the Villa fans’ ire serves as a wake-up call. The win against Brighton was a step forward, but Buendía’s performance was a glaring blemish. As one fan poignantly put it on X, “We won in spite of Buendía, not because of him.” Whether he can silence the critics and reclaim his status as a fan favorite remains to be seen. For now, though, he’s the bad egg in an otherwise golden victory—and the Villa faithful won’t let him forget it.