Aston Villa legend warns of rival transfer interest in Argentinian star in January

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes Birmingham City could pursue a highly unlikely transfer move for a player from their bitter rivals.

Villa have been pleased with the unexpected impact of Emi Buendía this season but the impact was on substitute Buendía himself against Burnley courtesy of the pointed elbow of Zian Flemming.

Despite the Argentine attacking midfielder’s increased involvement in 2025/26 and his stated happiness with his situation at Villa Park after reportedly turning down a move to Leeds United in the summer, Hendrie claims that Birmingham’s interest in the 28-year-old could be ‘reignited’ in the January transfer window.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen with Emi,” said Hendrie in an interview with Football League World.

“He has been used an awful lot, and he says that he wants to fight and stay at Villa. I can understand why because the situation of obviously where they’re at, what competitions they’re in, and he’s built his fitness and he’s playing and starting games.

“I know Birmingham have been interested in him and have been looking for a number 10, creative, a bit of flair. I’m sure they’ll be looking at maybe reigniting that little bit of interest for Buendía. If it doesn’t work out for him from now until January, I think lots could change.”

Hendrie, who played more than 250 Premier League matches for Villa between 1994 and 2007, is now a regular pundit specialising in television coverage of the EFL.

Birmingham were promoted back to the Championship last season and spent the summer amassing a collection of new players for an ambitious Premier League push. Buendía dropping into the second tier has become an absurd notion in recent weeks but Hendrie knows a few months is a long time in football.

Which players have made the move?

As unlikely as it seems for an in-form Buendía to join Birmingham after hitting a positive streak in the Premier League and Europa League, stranger things have happened in football. His contract expires in the summer of 2027 and if his on-pitch circumstances change there’s every chance Villa need to make a financially-driven decision in 2026.

If Hendrie’s suggestion did come to pass, Buendía would become the sixth player to move directly from Villa to Birmingham in the Premier League era.

Former Villa midfielder Craig Gardner switched from one to the other and is now Birmingham’s transfer chief. His brother, Gary, also joined Birmingham from Villa along with Liam Ridgewell, Curtis Davies and Scott Hogan.

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