Aston Villa fans at Villa Park

Unai Emery could admit defeat as ‘blockbuster’ Aston Villa transfer on the cards

Thu 23 January 2025 8:00, UK

Unai Emery may have to admit defeat and sell one of Ollie Watkins or Jhon Duran at Aston Villa, according to the Daily Mirror.

In the print edition of the newspaper (23 January, page 56), the Mirror said potential suitors are sensing there is now a deal to be done from as the Villa boss attempts to keep both players happy.

Emery is said to now face a “big decision” as to whether he continues to find a tactical solution to play both strikers or cash-in on a prized asset and sanction a blockbuster Villa transfer exit.

Can Unai Emery keep Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins happy at Aston Villa?

Having two quality strikers is usually a good headache to have as a football manager but as the prospect of a move away from Villa Park has started to emerge, it will have certainly left the manager with some food for thought.

Watkins has notched 10 goals and four assists in 22 Premier League appearances this term as he has proven he can remain as a consistent and reliable choice for the Villans.

However, Duran has also stepped up to the mark this term with seven Premier League goals as well as three in the Champions League and at just 21-years-old, he is an exciting prospect.

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran — Credit: Imago

With that being said, the Villa manager does not seem to be open to the idea of playing both strikers together and even admitted it was a mistake when he tried to do so in his side’s 1-0 loss against Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday (21 January).