Jhon Duran sent a strong message to manager Unai Emery to reward him with a starting position in addition to helping Aston Villa take a significant step towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages.
Duran has only made four starts across all competitions, but his curling 25-yard goal in Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig was his tenth goal of the year.
The 20-year-old Colombian international scored from the bench in four of Villa’s first five Premier League games this season, establishing himself as a super-sub figure.
In all competitions this season, he has scored more goals as a substitute than any other player in the main five leagues in Europe.
Duran has scored consecutive goals after being scoreless in November, and supporters’ cries for him to start more frequently are becoming stronger.
This is partly due to Ollie Watkins’ performance; although playing well in Leipzig, the England striker has only scored once in his last 11 games from open play.
Despite playing nearly twice as much as Duran, Watkins has only managed seven goals across all competitions this season, three fewer than Duran.
Watkins sustained a “small injury” on Tuesday, and Emery stated that Duran took his place at halftime. As a result, Duran might start against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
When Watkins is healthy, should Duran, Villa’s leading scorer in the Champions League, continue to start?
“I adore the contest.”
Duran has only made two starts with Watkins since joining Villa in January 2023.
Emery stated on Monday that he is willing to use both of his strikers simultaneously, but it is obvious that he prefers to use one or the other.
The two players may easily become irritated in such a circumstance, but Duran says he is content to perform whatever role the team requires of him.
“It’s my responsibility to score because we put in a lot of effort as a team. After the game, Duran told Amazon Prime, “The win and the three points away from home were the most important things.”
“I’m just happy to be here and I actually love the competition with Ollie Watkins. When it’s my turn I’ll step up and hopefully I can score and help the team.
“We’re so happy to be where we are in the standings right now, but we’ve got to win the game at home [against Celtic] and we’re almost through so we are delighted about that.”
Duran knows just how he wants to celebrate his 21st birthday, which is on Friday.
“I am definitely not going out to celebrate my birthday because my aim is to score on Saturday to celebrate,” he added.
Emery provided a brief explanation of why he continues to start Watkins over Duran in his postgame interview.
Emery told Amazon Prime, “We have to try and keep balance with him because sometimes he [Duran] is very impassioned.”
“He works hard and scored a fantastic goal; we’re attempting to strengthen the team tactically. He has enormous potential. He is becoming better tactically, and he had an outstanding forty-five minutes tonight.
“Don’t forget about me.”
The disagreement over which striker Emery should start moving forward is not limited to Villa supporters.
Regarding Duran on Amazon Prime, Alan Shearer stated, “I know he is only young, but you have every right to go and ask the manager why you are not starting if you are doing what he wants.”
“Ignore your age. You must be in the team if you are contributing and following the manager’s instructions. Don’t leave me out again, he will say.
Marc Albrighton, a former Villa winger, spoke for Watkins on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I felt Duran did a great job leading the queue. Although he has scored goals in the past, Albrighton stated, “I believe Watkins offers more as an all-around striker.”
“I think that’s probably why Emery favours him to start games, but I thought tonight when Duran came on, he put himself about more, he got more involved in the link-up play and then tops it off with his goal as well.”
