Aston Villa's Jhon Duran celebrates after scoring
Aston Villa's Jhon Duran celebrates after scoring
Former Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne believes that super sub Jhon Duran is the club's answer to Manchester United great Ole Gunnar Solskjaer amid his goalscoring exploits from the bench. Duran, who ironically started only his fourth Premier League match for Villa on Saturday, scored the only goal against Southampton and in doing so returned to winning ways.
The Colombian, who is still only 20, has hit the headlines this season for his contribution from the bench while playing the role of understudy to Ollie Watkins. He has nine goals in 22 appearances in all competitions, but the strike against the Saints ended a run of eight appearances without a goal.
Norwegian favourite Solskjaer developed a reputation under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford for delivering the goods despite only often being handed cameos from the bench, in any game situation, and former Villa centre half Dunne can see similarities in the role played by currently by Duran.
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"I think Jhon Duran is the best back-up striker in the Premier League. He's sort of getting himself into the super sub conversations and the Ole Gunner Solskjaer comparisons now," Dunne told BestBettingSites.
"The way he can come on and make a difference in games is sensational. He's obviously a hugely talented footballer, and I’m sure that he wants to be starting more games, but the impact that he has from the bench is almost unique and it's a huge bonus for any squad to have a player that can do that sort of stuff from the bench.
"He deserves huge respect, because coming off the bench and making a difference is one of the hardest things to do in football. He would much rather be starting games, and I think to say that he’s best back-up striker or bench option in the Premier League is a bit disrespectful towards him. He’s a brilliant striker and I think he’s proven that this season. He deserves a huge respect."
How many goals will Duran finish on this season? Tell us HERE