Gary Neville impressed with ‘lively’ Aston Villa teenager Jhon Duran

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Gary Neville has hailed Jhon Duran after being impressed with the Aston Villa striker’s cameo against Manchester City on Sunday.

Villa headed to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in search of three points that would ultimately help Unai Emery’s former club Arsenal.

City ran riot in the first half though and were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.

Ollie Watkins pulled one back for Villa, and Emery’s men did threaten to make it a nervy last few minutes for City.

Pep Guardiola’s men held on for the 3-1 win though and Villa have now lost their last two Premier League games, conceding seven goals in the process.

Emery must make sure Villa don’t make a habit of this, but there was one real positive to come out of the game.

Gary Neville impressed with Jhon Duran’s Aston Villa cameo

Emery decided to throw on young striker Jhon Duran in search of a goal back in the second half.

The Colombian joined Villa from Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire during the January window.

Villa struck a deal worth up to £18million for Duran with the deal coming out of absolutely nowhere.

Liverpool were thought to be interested in signing Duran.

Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra – who broke the news of Liverpool signing Luis Diaz from Porto back in January – claimed earlier this season that the Reds have been following Duran.

Villa swooped in and secured the youngster though and he almost made a huge impact against City.

Duran smashed a thunderous strike off the bar in injury time, controlling and swivelling in almost one motion before rattling the woodwork.

That moment impressed Neville, who remarked to Sky Sports (92min) that he felt Duran was ‘lively’ after coming on.

Nevile noted that Duran’s powerful volley shocked everyone inside the Etihad Stadium, praising his control to set up the strike as the 19-year-old showed promise against the champions.

“He’s looked lively, Duran,” said Neville. “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.