Emiliano Buendía

Buendía operates in the pockets of space between the opposition's defensive and midfield lines, areas that are hard to reach and even harder to use well once he gets there. His close control lets him receive under pressure and hold the ball rather than giving it straight back. That buys time for a runner to get into position.

When that runner arrives, his final pass is precise enough to turn a promising position into a clear chance. His Villa career has not always run smoothly, with long spells on the periphery followed by stretches where he looks like the most important player on the pitch. Watch how often he drifts into the half space, because that movement is usually the first sign he is about to influence the game. That patience and precision combined make him one of the more genuinely watchable players in the entire squad.