Unai Emery to wield axe on Jhon Duran for Aston Villa v Bournemouth Premier League clash
Unai Emery could look to axe Jhon Duran from the Aston Villa starting eleven for the Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Sunday, 3 December.
The Villans secured qualification into the next round of the UEFA Europa Conference League with a 2-1 win against Legia Warsaw on Thursday night.
Moussa Diaby and Alex Moreno grabbed the goals for Unai Emery’s side while Jhon Duran struggled despite playing the whole 90 minutes.
The Colombia international was asked to play as a striker along with Diaby – who looked lively from the start of the game right until the time he was on the field of play.
However, the 19-year-old looked anonymous at times and struggled to get involved in the action for Emery’s side.
It seems that the Spaniard will be dropping him from the playing eleven for Ollie Watkins for the clash against the Cherries in the Premier League.
According to Sofascore, despite making 28 touches, he managed to complete just eight passes throughout the 90 minutes.
Diaby, who led the line along with him, completed 25 of his 27 attempted passes and that’s what Emery wants from his attacking players along with them being goal threats.
Duran also got bullied in the air – losing 66 per cent of his aerial duels and given how Bournemouth play – the Villa forwards may have to be stellar aerial presences.
The Colombian also missed one big chance and committed two fouls – one of which led to him receiving a yellow card as well.
Emery won’t be too harsh on the 19-year-old as he’s still a raw talent adapting to a new league and team, but starting him two games in a row in the same week does not seem to be on the cards.
Gary Neville is also understood to be a fan of the teenager but the striker himself knows that he’s got levels to reach before he is a regular.
“He’s looked lively, Duran,” said Neville on February live on Sky Sports. “It’s a hell of a strike, it shocked everyone! The control is really good on his knee, he just sets it up for himself, swivels and hits it… what a strike, Ederson was looking above his head and hoping,” he added.
In other Aston Villa news, a rising star has given Unai Emery some food for thought and his Aston Villa debut will surely be on the horizon in the coming weeks.