Aston Villa's young striker Jhon Duran is evidently making his mark this season, having already scored ten goals in just 23 appearances. This impressive tally includes a standout moment in Villa's exhilarating 3-2 win against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, where Duran unleashed a stunning 25-yard curling shot to secure his tenth goal. Despite having started only four matches across all competitions, Duran's form has sparked discussions about his suitability for a regular starting position under manager Unai Emery.
At just 20 years of age, the Colombian international has established himself as a potent option off the bench, notably netting goals in four of Villa's first five Premier League matches. His six goals as a substitute are the highest of any player in Europe's top five leagues this season. Following a brief period without scoring in November, Duran has quickly rediscovered his form, finding the net in consecutive matches, which has led to heightened calls for him to receive more opportunities in the starting XI.
However, Duran's burgeoning prominence coincides with the fluctuating form of England international Ollie Watkins. Although Watkins performed commendably against Leipzig, his recent tally includes just one goal from open play in his last eleven appearances, resulting in a total of seven goals this season—three fewer than Duran—despite nearly double the minutes on the pitch. This divergence in their performances has prompted both fans and pundits to question whether Duran deserves to retain his starting spot when Watkins is back to full fitness.
Emery confirmed that Duran came on for Watkins at half-time against Leipzig due to a "small injury," which could pave the way for Duran to start in the forthcoming match against Nottingham Forest. Since Duran's arrival at Villa in January 2023, the pair have only started together on two occasions, highlighting the challenge of dividing playing time. While Emery has hinted at the possibility of fielding both strikers together, he currently opts for one over the other, fostering a competitive atmosphere between them.
In a post-match interview with Amazon Prime, Duran conveyed his dedication to the team, stating, "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." He expressed enthusiasm about competing with Watkins, noting, "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."
As Duran approaches his 21st birthday this Friday, he remains focused on football, quipping, "I am definitely not going out to celebrate my birthday because my aim is to score on Saturday to celebrate."
Emery also assessed Duran's potential, emphasising the need for tactical refinement. "Sometimes he [Duran] is very impassioned, and we have to try and keep balanced with him," Emery explained. He praised Duran's contributions, commenting, "He scored a great goal and he works; we are trying to get the team strong with a tactical approach."
The question of who should lead the line—Duran or Watkins—extends beyond the Villa faithful. Prominent football analyst Alan Shearer remarked on Duran’s predicament, stating, "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." Meanwhile, former Villa winger Marc Albrighton weighed in on BBC Radio 5 Live, advocating for Watkins and stating that while Duran is effective, "Watkins offers more as an all-round striker."
As the season unfolds, Duran's rising stature not only challenges the established order at Aston Villa but also adds an intriguing layer to the team's attacking dynamics. The battle for the starting spot is set to keep Villa supporters engaged as they seek to push their club further up the league table.