Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has urged Jhon Duran to ‘work on his emotions’ and not be as desperate to impress in matches. Then the January transfer could be in contention to start.
The Colombian moved to Villa Park for £14.75m plus £3.3m in add-ons. But Duran has only enjoyed 50 minutes through his first three appearances in claret-and-blue. He is also yet to score or provide an assist under Emery. Although there have been small signs of potential.
Emery did not hand Duran enough time to establish himself during the 19-year-old’s debut against Leicester City. But the striker helped Douglas Luiz gain possession in the build-up to Ollie Watkins’ goal at Manchester City. It also marked his longest game yet at 30 minutes.
Duran made good use of his time on the field at the Etihad Stadium to try his luck in search of a maiden goal. Yet the former Chicago Fire striker slipped as he shaped to shoot from 35 yards out. He also hit the crossbar with a half-volley in stoppage-time during their 3-1 loss.
Emery would reduce Duran’s involvement against Arsenal last time out to only 12 minutes before Aston Villa’s late collapse. Yet the three-cap striker still went close to restoring the Villans’ lead at 2-2. He charged down the left and forced Aaron Ramsdale to make a save.
Unai Emery wants Jhon Duran ‘to improve’ to earn his first start for Aston Villa
Aston Villa will travel to Everton on Saturday and Duran is likely to again be among Emery’s substitutes. Yet the Villans boss believes his new striker can earn a start alongside Watkins soon. But he must first show progress and not appear as desperate to impress in matches.
“Duran has to improve, has to adapt,” Emery said, via quotes by Birmingham Live. “He has potential, of course, and we are speaking with him and the adaptation will be easy for him.
“His mentality is good. Now we are going to work on his emotion when he is playing. It has an impact with his desires to score, wishing to show his performance.
“But we have to take the balance when he is playing because, tactically, he has to learn. He has to adapt – he is doing it every day and we’re demanding with him.”
Aston Villa signed Duran from Chicago Fire in January after eight goals and six assists in 28 games. Yet the Medellin-born forward made his final appearance with the MLS franchise in October. So, the Colombian will need time to get up to speed under Emery in Birmingham.
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