Emi Buendía has spoken of his pride at pulling on the claret and blue of Aston Villa having started 19 of the club’s 20 matches under Unai Emery.
The Argentina international has been a regular inclusion in Villa’s starting XI under Emery.
Buendia has completed 90 minutes in each of the club’s last three matches and six of the previous nine.
His assist for Douglas Luiz helped Villa claim a share of the spoils at Brentford last weekend, while his five goals so far this term is already one more than he netted in his maiden campaign last year.
“I'm proud to play regularly in this team and for this club,” he told VillaTV.
“Obviously, I work hard every week and I try to do my best, I try to do the best I can do for the team – to help the team, my team-mates.
“I’m very happy, I have a lot of confidence from here, from my team-mates and all of the staff around the club.
“Obviously, to play, is what every player wants to do and I try to enjoy it a lot.”
Villa travel to Manchester United on Sunday looking to extend their 10-match unbeaten sequence in the Premier League.
Buendía knows it is going to be a tough encounter, but Villa can take plenty of heart from two recent performances against United.
The Villans recorded a 3-1 triumph in the reverse meeting on home soil earlier this season, while they also claimed a 1-0 success at Old Trafford last term.
“We have two clear examples of games against them,” he said.
“The one this season was the first game of the manager and all his staff.
“We were very strong defensively, and consistent, to defend against this kind of opponent with top, top attacking players.
“And then, like I say, trying to be calm and patient with the ball.
“We know with our season, the way we want to play, we can create chances to win a game.
“So, trying to be relaxed on the pitch to take these chances, to get the victory.”
Buendía discussed Tuesday’s victory over Fulham, our final five run-in, the importance of the club’s fans as well as the levels of belief and togetherness in the squad at the moment.
Villa have won eight of their 10-match unbeaten streak, keeping seven clean sheets in the process.
The club’s 1-0 win in midweek also represented the first time since 1983 the Villans have won five consecutive top-flight matches on home soil without conceding a goal.
“The mood is very good,” added Buendía.
“Obviously, when things are going well everyone is happier than normal.
“But we’ve shown during the whole season, when we were bad and when we are good, we try to keep together every time.
“We have to work, we know we have to work harder every day in training and then we show this character on the pitch.”
