Jhon Duran’s Performance Against RB Leipzig Intensifies Starting Role Discussion at Aston Villa

Jhon Duran, who has netted 10 goals in 23 appearances this season, not only significantly advanced Aston Villa’s progress towards the Champions League knockout stages but also conveyed a strong message to manager Unai Emery regarding his desire for a regular starting position. His 25-yard curling shot during Villa’s 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig on Tuesday marked his tenth goal of the current season, despite him having started only four matches across all competitions. The 20-year-old Colombia international established himself as a prominent substitute earlier in the season, finding the net from the bench in four of Aston Villa’s initial five Premier League fixtures. His tally of six goals scored as a substitute surpasses that of any other player in Europe’s top five leagues across all competitions this season. Following a goalless November, Duran has now scored in consecutive matches, leading to increasing demands from supporters for him to be included in the starting lineup more frequently. This growing sentiment is partly influenced by the recent performance of Ollie Watkins; the England international performed effectively in Leipzig, but has registered only one goal from open play in his previous 11 appearances. Watkins has accumulated seven goals in all competitions this season, which is three fewer than Duran, despite having played nearly twice as many minutes. Emery confirmed that Duran was introduced in place of Watkins at half-time on Tuesday because the English player sustained a “small injury,” suggesting Duran might start against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The prevailing question is whether Duran, who is Villa’s leading scorer in the Champions League, should retain his starting position once Watkins recovers. Since Duran’s arrival at Villa in January 2023, he has been deployed in the starting lineup alongside Watkins on only two occasions. While Emery indicated on Monday that he is receptive to fielding both of his strikers simultaneously, his preference for one over the other remains apparent. Such a dynamic could potentially lead to tension between the two athletes, yet Duran has stated his willingness to fulfill any role required by the team. “We worked hard as a team, and that is my job to score. The main thing was the win and the three points away from home,” Duran commented to Amazon Prime following the game. He further added, “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.” Duran also remarked, “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, who will celebrate his 21st birthday on Friday, has a clear idea of how he intends to mark the occasion. “I am definitely not going out to celebrate my birthday because my aim is to score on Saturday to celebrate,” he stated. During his post-match interview, Emery offered some insight into his rationale for consistently selecting Watkins over Duran for the starting lineup. “Sometimes he [Duran] is very impassioned and we have to try and keep balanced with him,” Emery explained to Amazon Prime. He continued, “He scored a great goal and he works, we are trying to get the team strong with a tactical approach. His potential is massive. Tactically he is improving and today he played a fantastic 45 minutes.” The debate over which striker Emery should prioritize for future starts extends beyond just Aston Villa supporters. “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,” Alan Shearer commented regarding Duran on Amazon Prime. Shearer added, “Forget your age. If you are doing your bit and doing what the manager wants, you have to be in the team. His message will be: Don’t leave me out again.” On BBC Radio 5 Live, former Villa winger Marc Albrighton presented arguments in favor of Watkins. “I thought Duran really led the line well. On previous occasions, obviously he gets his goals, but I think Watkins offers more as an all-round striker,” Albrighton stated. He continued, “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.”