Villa's Buendia suffers 'significant' knee injury

Emi Buendia joined Aston Villa in 2021 from Norwich for a fee of £33m

Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendia has suffered a "significant" knee ligament injury in training and is likely to miss a large part of the new season.

The Argentina international scored three times for Villa during their pre-season preparations.

Villa face Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday at 17:30 BST.

Posting on Instagram, Buendia wrote: "If my parents taught me anything since I was a kid, it's to never give up, and this bad time I have to live is no exception.

"Already positive and minded in a good and speedy recovery."

Buendia was a key part of Villa's squad last season, playing all of the club's Premier League matches, scoring five goals, and was set to feature prominently in the 2023-24 campaign.

He was Villa's record signing in 2021 when he moved in a £33m transfer from Norwich City.

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