Unai Emery has reached unprecedented territory at Aston Villa after going seven games without tasting a victory in all competitions.
Emery has built a dynasty at Aston Villa, so no one is questioning this run of form, as many feel it’s only a matter of time before they start winning matches again.
That said, the Spaniard could make some bold decisions in an attempt to change the tide, and one of those could be dropping Morgan Rogers.
Villa fans lambasted Rogers for his display against Juventus. Despite scoring the goal that was ruled out, most feel the 22-year-old needs a rest, as he was largely ineffective from a left-wing position.
With Jacob Ramsey out injured, there aren’t many options in attacking areas, although Jhon Duran is a player Emery should unleash away at Chelsea.
Aston Villa's Jhon Duran breaks during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Aston Villa FC and Juventus at Villa Park o...
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Jhon Duran should make first Premier League start of 2024/25 vs Chelsea
It’s been a very interesting campaign for the Colombian striker. Duran looked destined to join West Ham or Chelsea in the summer however, Emery’s powers of persuasion kept him at Villa Park.
The 20-year-old was downbeat about a lack of game time last term, and while that theme has continued in 2024/25, he’s still scored eight goals despite only making three starts in all competitions.
Duran was a super sub in the early stages of the campaign, netting four Premier League goals from the bench between August and September while striking against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in October.
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Remarkably, Duran’s clinical edge has seen him boast a better goal-per-minute ratio in England’s top flight than Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland.
Player Premier League goals per minute
Jhon Duran 1 every 75 minutes
Erling Haaland 1 every 90 minutes
Recently, strikes from the bench have dried up however, with the likes of Rogers and Leon Bailey underperforming of late, perhaps it’s time for Emery to finally partner him with Ollie Watkins.
It’s a move that could not only help Villa clinch victory at Stamford Bridge but also transform the players’ declining morale.
Unai Emery could sell Jhon Duran in 2025
Duran’s biggest reason for wanting to leave at the start of the campaign was the lack of game.
With Watkins dominating the minutes at striker, it’s a situation that hasn’t changed for the talented forward and one that could impact his future.
Interestingly, a report from Antena 2 in Colombia suggests Emery is demanding big improvements from the striker and doesn’t see him as a ‘dispensable’ member of the squad.
The Spaniard hasn’t been pleased with his performances of late but Duran can feel hard done by, as the bulk of his minutes have come in the last 20 or 30 minutes of games.
Perhaps this weekend Duran – who was previously dubbed ‘outstanding’ – can remind Emery that he’s one of the best young strikers on the planet by starting him against Chelsea and quelling any speculation surrounding his future.
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