Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted that Emi Buendia has the option to leave his club amid links to Leeds United in the January transfer window.

The 28-year-old has endured a difficult campaign for Villa this season with Emery choosing to use the midfielder sparingly throughout the campaign. However on Tuesday night, the surprise decision was made by the West Midlands club to start Buendia in the Champions League clash against AS Monaco.

As fixture congestion piles up for Villa, the decision was made to bring Buendia in for only his third start of the season and the Argentine performed well. While the Premier League side lost 1-0 to their French opponents, the midfielder impressed fans with his display on a difficult night.

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With Leeds thought to be keen on a move for Buendia, the concern was that the midfielder may be blocked from leaving the club in January. But, Emery suggested at full-time that his start in the Champions League is likely to have been an anomaly.

"Buendia played a fantastic match, but we needed something more on the right side and a little bit more on the left side," Emery said. "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."

Buendia struggled last season with an ACL injury which scuppered his chance to impress.

That is why Emery has previously explained that he would be happy to loan his midfielder out until the end of the season.

Leeds are one of the clubs thought to be interested in Buendia's services should he be offered out.

United can regain top spot in the Championship tonight when they face Daniel Farke and Buendia's former club Norwich City at Elland Road.