Aston Villa have ‘absolute ready-made replacement’ for Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa are managing their forward department well with opportunities for Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, according to Ian Darke.
Watkins was rotated on Tuesday night [22 October] as Unai Emery’s side put aside Bologna at Villa Park, Duran starting and scoring in the 2-0 win.
The young Colombian then made way for the England man midway through the second half, a switch of what has usually been the theme from Emery in the Premier League.
“I know everybody’s itching to see a situation where you’ve got Duran and Watkins up there together more regularly, but Unai Emery should keep it as it is in the league,” TNT Sports’ Darke exclusively told Villa News.
“All Duran’s league goals have come as a substitute so it’s effective. It’s a hard-nosed decision for Emery with Duran as an impact sub.
“But the good way of looking at it is if anything happened to Watkins or they needed to manage his minutes, they’ve got an absolute ready-made replacement.”
Aston Villa sticking to well-oiled system
Aston Villa are continuing to operate with Emery’s preferred 4-2-3-1 shape, rather than shoehorning in-form players into the starting XI.
Watkins has five goals this season in all competitions across club and country; Duran has netted eight, but the all-round impact on the side the England international has had offers Villa a key outlet for Emery.
The duo will vie for a place in the starting line-up against Bournemouth on Saturday 26 October.
In other Aston Villa news, a night to forget on Tuesday for one Villan.
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