Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa: Jhon Duran’s Starting Claims Intensify

A BBC poll conducted after Aston Villa’s Champions League victory on Tuesday revealed that 44% of respondents believe Jhon Duran should be the sole starting striker, even when Ollie Watkins is completely fit. Watkins’ minor injury sustained midweek led to Duran receiving consecutive starts in the Premier League for the first time. The Colombian striker, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Friday, had a subdued performance but still managed to score the opening goal with a header in the second half. Despite Nottingham Forest securing a 2-1 victory with two late goals, the demand for Duran to retain his starting position over the seven-goal England striker Watkins is intensifying. This marked Duran’s 51st Premier League appearance, though it was only his fifth start. Nevertheless, he has now scored in three consecutive Villa appearances for the first time and has found the net in all five of his starts across all competitions this season.