“HE DESERVES IT MORE THAN ME” — Emi Buendía Leaves Aston Villa Fans Emotional After Stunning Sky Sports Gesture Toward Ollie Watkins Following Freiburg Masterclass
Aston Villa supporters were left completely stunned and emotional after Emi Buendía produced not only a breathtaking performance against SC Freiburg, but also a moment of pure class and humility that instantly sent social media into meltdown.
The Argentine magician was absolutely sensational throughout the clash, delivering what many fans described as an “out of this world” performance as Aston Villa booked their place in the final in dramatic fashion. Buendía was everywhere on the pitch — creating chances, controlling the tempo, pressing relentlessly, and terrorizing Freiburg’s defense with his creativity and energy.
By the final whistle, many supporters inside the stadium believed there was only one possible winner for the Player of the Match award.
Emi Buendía.
But what happened next completely stole the headlines.
During his post-match interview with Sky Sports, the Aston Villa star reportedly shocked fans by insisting that the award should instead go to his teammate Ollie Watkins — a gesture that immediately won the hearts of supporters across social media.
Despite producing one of his finest performances in a Villa shirt, Buendía chose to shine the spotlight on Watkins, praising the striker for his sacrifices, leadership, and relentless contribution throughout Aston Villa’s journey to the final.
According to Buendía, Watkins may not have scored in the decisive match, but his impact across the campaign has been immeasurable.
The Argentine reportedly said that Watkins had been “the backbone” of the team throughout the entire journey and deserved the recognition more than anyone else.
Those words instantly sparked an emotional reaction among Villa supporters.
Fans flooded social media with praise for Buendía’s humility, calling him a “true teammate,” “world-class professional,” and “the heartbeat of this Villa squad.” Others praised the incredible unity inside Aston Villa’s dressing room, claiming moments like this prove why the club has become one of the most feared and respected sides in Europe this season.
One supporter wrote:
“This is what real football brotherhood looks like. Buendía was unreal tonight and still gave credit to Watkins. Incredible mentality.”
Another posted:
“No ego. No selfishness. Just pure passion for the badge. This Aston Villa team is special.”
And honestly, it is difficult to disagree.
While Buendía dazzled on the pitch with moments of brilliance, it was his attitude after the game that may have impressed supporters even more. In modern football — where individual awards and personal recognition often dominate headlines — seeing a player publicly hand praise to a teammate instead of taking the spotlight for himself felt incredibly refreshing.
For Ollie Watkins, the gesture also highlighted just how important he has become to Aston Villa under the current project. Even on nights when he does not find the back of the net, his movement, pressing, leadership, and work ethic continue to play a massive role in the team’s success.
Watkins has consistently delivered in crucial moments this season, scoring important goals and leading the line with incredible determination. His influence on Aston Villa’s route to the final has been undeniable, and Buendía’s comments only reinforced how highly respected he is inside the dressing room.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa fans are now dreaming bigger than ever.
After overcoming Freiburg in such emotional fashion, belief around the club continues to grow rapidly. The connection between the players, manager, and supporters appears stronger than ever, and moments like Buendía’s viral gesture have only strengthened that bond further.
What should have been a night remembered purely for footballing brilliance quickly became a powerful reminder of teamwork, unity, and respect.
Emi Buendía may have produced the performance of the night against Freiburg, but in the eyes of many Aston Villa fans, his greatest moment came after the match — when he chose humility over personal glory and made sure Ollie Watkins received the appreciation he believed he deserved.