Unai Emery must take note of one Aston Villa player’s form over the 2023/24 campaign, as the club risk losing him.
Unai Emery will be eager to retain the majority of his talent at Aston Villa ahead of the 2024/25 season.
While the Midlands club will be met with PSR concerns, there is hope that Monchi can navigate the summer to Villa’s advantage.
After securing a fourth-place finish at Villa Park last season, Emery will hope for an even better campaign next year, with most of his players needed for the journey ahead.
One player whose performances have gone under the radar is Jhon Duran, who is now topping the charts at Villa in one very impressive statistic.
Jhon Duran is more clinical than Christian Benteke and Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa
Having secured just three starts in 23 Premier League appearances over the 2023/24 campaign, Duran struggled to impose himself ahead of in-form talisman Ollie Watkins.
That being said, the Colombian was not quiet in his approach to play, as when he was involved, he showed just how clinical he can be in Emery’s side.
A statistic relayed by Aston Villa Statto and FBref detailed just how dangerous Duran was over the season in the Premier League.
Out of the Villa players who have scored a minimum of five goals in the Premier League since 2014/15, Duran ranks as the most clinical.
Based on goals per shot on target per 90, the 20-year-old tops the charts at Villa, leading the likes of Christian Benteke and Watkins for his average of 0.71 goals per shot on target per 90.
Duran maintained a scoring frequency of just 101 minutes in the Premier League last season, via Sofascore, telling of his potency when called upon by Emery.
Unai Emery must try to retain Duran at Villa
As far as second choice strikers go in the Premier League, there aren’t many as potent as Duran, who unfortunately looks to have an uncertain future at Villa.
It would be a great shame for Emery to part ways with the Colombia international, who has dazzling potential and the ability to play at the top level, as seen by his numbers.
While Watkins is the firm first-choice number nine, there is no back up in the position other than Duran, making his stance at Villa more important than some may think.
Emery must realise the talent he currently has in his arsenal in Duran, who was dubbed ‘clinical’ by BBC pundit Garth Crooks last term.
At just 20 years old, the Colombian has shown just how high his ceiling could be, particularly if working under Emery, making the prospect of him leaving a painful narrative.
