Unai Emery strikes pure gold as Jhon Duran replaces Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa XI announced v Zrinjski Mostar
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has surely struck gold as Jhon Duran replaces Ollie Watkins in a much-changed side against Zrinjski in their Europa Conference League clash.
Villa confirmed their starting XI for the game in Bosnia on Thursday evening (14 December) with Emery making several changes from the side that heroically beat Arsenal on Saturday (9 December).
20-year-old goalkeeper Filip Marschall replaces Emiliano Martinez in goal with Robin Olsen unavailable while Jacob Ramsey, Matty Cash, Alex Moreno, Leander Dendoncker, Moussa Diaby and Nicolo Zaniolo all come into the team.
Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Douglas Luiz are the only players to keep their place in the Aston Villa eleven from Sunday’s win.
And Emery has made the wise decision to rest Watkins for Duran after the Englishman’s disappointing display against the Gunners at the weekend.
Watkins completed just 42 per cent of his passes, lost possession 18 times, failed to register a key pass and failed to complete any of his two dribbles [SofaScore].
The former Brentford striker will certainly come back in over the weekend when Aston Villa face off against Brentford in West London on Sunday but Emery has struck gold with the decision to hand Colombian Duran a chance to impress.
As per SofaScore, in his last start against Legia Warsaw two weeks ago, he won five of his six total duels with a success rate of 83%, provided one key pass, won three fouls and still had two shots on target in an encouraging first start of the season for the wonderkid.
The Columbian could well have added two goals to his Villa Park resume but for some crucial saves.
The 19-year-old did look threatening all evening and certainly ran his socks off, performing responsibilities Watkins usually undertakes in running the channels, linking up play and also pressing from the front and his impact certainly showed.
With chances at a premium in Emery’s settled side this season, Duran cannot afford to take these opportunities for granted.
With Zrinjski’s European adventures all but done this season, he will surely look to finally add some goals to his repertoire this evening.
In other Aston Villa, one forgotten player may be losing patience with Unai Emery as his bags could already be packed ahead of a January exit.