Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia has been linked with a transfer to Besiktas during the January transfer window.

Villa boss Unai Emery has made it clear the Argentine could leave the club this month and the Turkish giants are said to be interested in a deal alongside River Plate.

The 28-year-old has not started once in the Premier League for Villa so far this season, but Emery surprisingly named him in his starting line-up to face Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday night. It was Buendia’s first start in the Champions League and while Emery was angry with the 1-0 defeat, he singled Buendia out for praise.

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"Buendia played a fantastic match,” he said, before adding: "Of course, I am very happy with a lot of players. Today, especially with Emi Buendia, because he has the option to leave but today we needed him and he played fantastic with his qualities, fantastic mentality and fantastic with his commitment with the squad."

Asked about the player’s future last week, Emery said: "Always we are trying to improve the team. The players who are here with us, always we are supporting them. He had last year a long injury but he started this year progressively getting better.

"He didn’t 100 per cent in the season until now. But now he is playing more minutes and helping the team. But maybe he can have the possibility to leave.

"For him, it could be something where he can play more, get more minutes, get confidence again and being comfortable playing again in the starting XI. Of course, now he is helping us and I am happy with his attitude."

Asked if Villa wouldn't stand in his way if he wanted to depart, Emery replied: "Of course, playing more minutes, he can feel better."

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