Emi Buendia's Champions League debut is the first step to making up for lost time at Aston Villa after being sidelined for a year with a knee injury. 

Norwich City's record sale was a late substitute in Villa's 3-0 victory over Swiss side Young Boys on Tuesday night as he continues to step up his recovery from the significant ligament issue he sustained last August. 

Buendia joined Villa from Norwich for a deal initially worth £33m and has played 80 times since completing his move to the Midlands in 2021. 

He made his return to Premier League action in Villa's dramatic 3-2 victory over Everton at the weekend to a roaring reception from the Villa Park faithful. Buendia has been reflecting on his lengthy absence in an interview with the Express and Star. 

“It was the last action of the training session,” he explained. “I knew it and suspected something bad. I felt something.

“In the beginning, the knee didn’t swell at all, but then with the scan, everything was bad. It was a bad moment.

“The moment of the injury and having to do the scan, that was hard. But then when I received the doctor’s call, I took it as a normal thing.

“I did not feel too bad because I expected. During the process, I tried to be as positive as possible.

“Not being able to help, that was the most frustrating. But then everyone working at the club was close to me, the players and staff, asking me how I was feeling in every moment, trying to help me and help me stay positive, with good words and positive things.

"The manager was very close to me from the first moment. He was one of the first to call me. His first message was to relax and to try and get a good recovery, also to be able to stay close to my family and anything I needed, just to ask him.”

Buendia's Champions League outing won't see Norwich rewarded with any further cash, with the structure of incentives in the deal largely based on the number of games he features in rather than competitions. 

Buendia is a double Championship title winner with Norwich City.Buendia is a double Championship title winner with Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) After being forced to watch from the sidelines for an extended period, the Argentine international hopes to make positive memories under Unai Emery's management with European clashes against Bayern Munich and Juventus to come.  

“I feel like I lost many good memories last year on the pitch, even though I did my best to enjoy them from my space outside,” Buendia said.

“This year, hopefully, we have an amazing season ahead. I am desperate to help the team. I have worked hard for it. I know I will get my chance soon.”