It's all a far cry from lighting up the Premier League and Champions League for Villa
Jhon Duran looks dejected after conceding the team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Legaue Phase MD7 match between Fenerbahce SK and Aston Villa.
Jhon Duran(Image: BSR Agency, Getty Images)
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Jhon Duran won’t regret leaving Aston Villa when he looks at his bank balance.
That’s the view of former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara, who believes the Colombian striker may only be sorry about departing Villa Park when he looks at how his career is panning out.
Duran is on his third club since Villa sold him to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr for £71m in January last year.
After just five months at Al-Nassr, Duran joined Fenerbahce on loan last July, only to leave the Turkish club for Zenit Saint Petersburg in another loan deal earlier this month, which is all a far cry from lighting up the Premier League and Champions League for Villa.
Asked if he thinks Duran regrets leaving Villa, O’Hara told 10bet: “Only Jhon Durán can really answer that question.
“I think money-wise, probably not, setting up his family and his life personally for the rest of his life. No.
“But career-wise, football-player-wise, probably, yeah. He's gone, it hasn't worked out. Now he's moving around trying to settle somewhere.
“He was loved at Aston Villa. The fans loved him. He was playing football. He's in the Premier League. Everyone thought he was great. So yeah, on a career level, yeah, he probably didn't make the best choice.
“But on a personal level, how can you? He's earning 500, 600 grand a week. Setting yourself up for life, aren't you?
“He came from humble beginnings and probably a very normal background in South America to then earning 600 grand a week. I never begrudge anyone doing that.”
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