Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is pleased with Jhon Duran’s progress, but urged caution as he oversees his development.
After making his debut off the bench against Leicester City last weekend, the 19-year-old Colombian forward was given another outing in our 3-1 defeat to Man City and logged more important minutes as he continues to adapt and adjust to the Premier League.
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While he will hope to continue building up his involvement as the weeks go on, Duran is certainly making a positive impression as he looks a threat in the final third with his physical presence, energy and technical ability. Further, he was also desperately unlucky not to find the back of the net as his brilliant late effort crashed off the crossbar.
Emery will surely be pleased with the promising early signs from his January recruit, but he also sensibly called for patience with Duran as he continues to help him along on his journey to becoming a key figure for Villa.
“Yes he has potential but he has to work as well, tactically, offensively and defensively,” he told BBC Sport. “He has to adapt to his team-mates and our rhythm and as well every minute he is playing now on the pitch is very good for him, for the team but we have to be patient with him.”
On the face of it, there will perhaps be a temptation to give Duran a starting role sooner rather than later, as he has arguably offered more of a threat in the final third than Leon Bailey and has provided it in limited minutes.
However, Emery will no doubt be closely assessing them in training to judge better than anyone else who is best placed to help us get positive results, and if he feels as though Duran still needs to be gradually integrated into the Villa XI at a certain pace, then it will likely be the right call in the long run.
That said, if the talented starlet continues to make a big impact off the bench, he will certainly make it increasingly difficult for the Villa boss to leave him out and that has to be his aim for now as he must remain patient too while earning his chances.
i do not see any other option but to play him rom the start. he and watkins can create havock. then with coutinho finally finding form. the future looks bright. but play him now.