Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendia says he never considered giving up after failing to make it with Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old left Real Madrid's academy before having spells at Getafe and Cultural Leonesa, yet while he had doubts over where his career was going, he never gave up.

"No, Emi, 12,000 kilometres, you left everyone to make this dream come true. I can't stop here. I fight," Buendia told the Sunday Times.

Buendia is currently loving life at Aston Villa after his 34.56 million pound move from Norwich City, but things weren't easy from the start.

"I had a struggle in the beginning. It was difficult for me, not in terms of settling down with the club - because everyone helped me a lot - but to feel comfortable on the pitch," he said.

"When I arrived here, I spoke a lot with Ollie Watkins, and then with Danny Ings when he came in, to get to know each other's games. I think in every game we're getting more confident."