Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Feyenoord and Aston Villa FC at De Kuip

Twenty-two days ago Aston Villa sloped off the Hill Dickinson Stadium pitch knowing they had turned in a forgettable performance on their first visit to Everton's new home.

They had mustered one shot on target and in truth had Emi Martinez to thank - and their attackers to blame - for a lacklustre 0-0 draw.

Villa hadn't scored a Premier League goal - and clearly not won in the top flight - and their was a cloud hanging over Unai Emery's squad.

Pundits were queueing up to have their say, none more so than former Villa boss Tim Sherwood who noted how some of Emery's most reliable players were underperforming.

Youri Tielemans was injured, Ollie Watkins was in the middle of a barren run and Morgan Rogers was a shadow of the player who seemed to be doing so well with England.

Sherwood took aim at one man in particular: "[Emi] Buendia for me is not...