The match marked the 20-year-old Colombia international’s 50th top flight appearance since joining from Chicago Fire nearly two years ago but only his fourth start.
Emery thinks Duran, who is Villa’s top scorer with nine goals in all competitions having come close to leaving in the summer, now better understands his role in the squad.
The boss said: “We have to try and stop his impatient moments sometimes but that’s something natural because he’s young and he wants everything quick.
“The process we have now, he is more or less doing. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower but today the most important thing was how he worked during the 60 minutes he played.”
Saturday’s win consolidated Villa’s top half position in the Premier League but they were dealt another injury blow with winger Leon Bailey expected to miss up to three weeks with a hamstring problem.
Villa’s squad were due to train at Bodymoor Heath this morning, before flying to Germany ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig. The match is the fourth in the space of 10 days for Emery’s team.