Paul Merson loses his mind over what he spotted in Aston Villa win v Bayern Munich – ‘Unbelievable’
Unai Emery should continue to use Jhon Duran and not be tempted into starting Wednesday night’s Aston Villa match-winner.
The debate will now fire up again over how little game time Duran is receiving compared to the constant impact he is having for Villa – often seeing his contribution paired up to that of Ollie Watkins.
Watkins’ importance to Emery’s side is there for all to see and should certainly not be underplayed despite a quiet personal game against Bayern Munich, while Duran came on and produced a sublime finish to help the hosts to a famous 1-0 win at Villa Park.
Paul Merson described the decisive goal as “phenomenal” and “unbelievable” while live on Sky Sports reacting to the match [2 October, 22:02]: “It’s not a ball that goes over the top and it just bounces and you lob it over the goalie.
“He’s just glanced once and whipped it over [Manuel Neuer]. It’s a phenomenal finish.
“It’s an unbelievable finish where the goalkeeper isn’t really in no man’s land.”
Jhon Duran impact for Aston Villa is just right
With six goals this season now for Duran and his only start coming against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, there are understandably loud and clear demands for Emery to give him a start.
The issue here, however, is that the young Colombian has etched himself that role in the squad as one of the best impact substitutes in the world right now, averaging 1.77 goals per 90 minutes to just 0.92 expected goals (xG). Established hitman Watkins has by contrast scored 0.63 per full 90 to an xG rate of 0.68 [FBRef].
Duran’s 20 minutes against the six-time European champions yielded not only his goal from his one shot, but also a 100% tackle success rate, winning 100% of his ground duels and 67% of his aerial challenges against a physical Bayern backline [Fotmob].
What should not be underestimated is how Watkins’ contribution helps set up the platform for Duran further down the line – he himself has four goals and three assists this season. It varies on whether Duran replaces the England man directly as a substitute, though in the Premier League this season, they have played just 63 minutes together [Transfermarkt] and in this timeframe scored three goals between them – two by Duran.
But to have the two in together from the start would disrupt Emery’s system, which is tried and tested and has paid immense dividends so far this season all fronts.
The shades of partnership we have seen from Duran and Watkins comes from defences tiring in dealing with the likes of Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey from early on in games, and it remains to be seen how Duran would fare in a regular starting role.
For the time being, it is best for Emery not to fix what isn’t broken.
In other Aston Villa news, Rio Ferdinand makes a bold claim on Rogers.
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