Is Unai Emery ready to trust Jhon Duran as Aston Villa's main striker | OneFootball

Jhon Duran powered Aston Villa to a thrilling 2-1 triumph over Manchester City at Villa Park, netting the crucial opening goal in a display that left fans and pundits alike amazed. The 21-year-old forward's expert finish and commanding presence on the field added another remarkable achievement to his breakout season, showing his readiness to lead Villa's attacking line.

Clinical performance against City

Morgan Rogers built on Duran's well-placed opener by extending Villa's advantage, though Phil Foden later pulled one back for City. Despite City dominating possession in the first half, Villa took control after the break and held strong to claim all three points.

Early in the match, Duran nearly doubled his tally after winning the ball from Josko Gvardiol. Finding himself clear through on goal against Stefan Ortega, the young striker chose an ambitious long-range shot that missed the target.

On social media, former striker Daniel Sturridge couldn't contain his admiration, writing,

Record-breaking numbers

Duran's impact this season speaks through impressive statistics. His seven Premier League goals have come at an unprecedented rate of one every 82 minutes - the best-ever scoring rate in league history. Across all competitions, he has notched 12 goals in 944 minutes, averaging a goal every 73 minutes.

The striker's performance data against Manchester City revealed his all-round contribution: perfect shot accuracy from three attempts, five touches in the opposition box, five recoveries, two clearances, and one tackle. These numbers gain extra weight considering he has started only three league matches this season.

His teammates have noticed his exceptional abilities. Youri Tielemans praised him as a striker capable of "doing anything," while Lucas Digne expressed joy about Duran's contract extension. Manager Unai Emery highlighted the forward's steady progress and adaptation.

Competition for the starting role

With established striker Ollie Watkins watching from the sidelines due to fitness concerns, Duran's rise has sparked healthy competition for the starting position. While Watkins remains crucial for both Villa and England, Duran's explosive form - including six goals as a substitute - has given Emery an interesting selection puzzle.

Though Emery has mentioned the possibility of fielding both strikers together, he stressed the importance of maintaining team balance. Duran's ability to change games, whether starting or coming off the bench, has placed him among Europe's most effective attacking players this season.

During Villa's impressive campaign in both domestic and European competitions, Duran's goalscoring talent and match-winning capabilities have made him essential to the team's success. His standout showing against Manchester City not only displayed his personal excellence but also proved why he should be considered Villa's main striking option.