Aston Villa were in action in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, and pundit Alan Shearer was impressed with one particular player.
Villa took on RB Leipzig away from home at the Red Bull Arena in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.
The Premier League club got the better of the Bundesliga outfit in the League Stage game. It ended in a 3-2 victory for Villa.
Jhon Duran scored one of the goals for Villa. The striker found the back of the net in the 52nd minute.
It was a brilliant goal from the Colombia international. Youri Tielemans gave the ball to Duran just inside the Leipzig half. The Villa striker ran at the home team’s defence and then scored with a looping curling finish from nearly 30 yards out.
Newcastle United legend Shearer was on co-commentary duty for the match on Amazon Prime, and he was impressed with the goal from Duran.
The BBC Match of the Day pundit believes that Duran sent a message to Villa manager Unai Emery after being dropped from the starting line-up.
Duran started against Southampton at Villa Park in the Premier League this past weekend. The £14.75 million (BBC Sport) striker scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute.
However, Duran was dropped from the starting lineup against Leipzig and came on only at the start of the second half for Ollie Watkins.
Jhon Duran’s message to Unai Emery with Aston Villa goal
Shearer said about Duran on Amazon Prime Video after he scored his goal: “We said the damage Duran can cause and we said all he needs is one or two chances and that’s what has happened.
“I said he likes to have a pop at goal and he had no other thought. The bend and the dip he got on that.
“Great attitude, I love it that he is prepared to have pop for that distance but why not? That is message to the manager: don’t leave me out again.”
Jhon Duran should start vs Nottingham Forest
Villa will return to action on Saturday when they take on Nottingham Forest away from home at the City Ground in the Premier League.
Emery has to include Duran in the starting line-up against Forest. The striker scored against Southampton and RB Leipzig in successive games.
What more can he do to play week in and week out? Duran is much more than a super sub now. The youngster has shown that he is good enough to merit a place in the Villa starting line-up on a regular basis.