One Aston Villa star can allow the Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins strike partnership to work for Unai Emery.
Unai Emery’s biggest selection dilemma at Aston Villa has been deciding how to fit Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran into the same starting XI.
Watkins is Villa’s main talisman and after supplying 37 goal involvements in all competitions last season, the Englishman’s spot in the starting XI was guaranteed.
But Duran – who spent most of last term warming the bench – has transformed into a goalscoring machine.
Despite netting four goals in seven substitute appearances in the Premier League, Emery is yet to start the 20-year-old in a single league match, only earning a place in the starting XI in the Carabao Cup win against Wycombe Wanderers.
The striking duo have played alongside each other when Duran is brought off the bench however, many people are now debating how they could line up together from the off.
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How Unai Emery can play Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins as a partnership
Emery could have one of the most lethal strike partnerships on the planet but the biggest challenge is getting them into the same starting XI.
Playing them together would perhaps mean moving Morgan Rogers from his central position to the left wing while captain John McGinn could start on the right.
They aren’t the only two players who would start alongside the duo, with Boubacar Kamara’s return crucial to the partnership.
Following a long-term ACL injury, Kamara is back in Aston Villa training and ready to return after the international break.
Villa journalist Dan Bardell believes the French defensive midfielder is integral to the chances of Emery deploying Watkins and Duran up top.
“You’re looking at a more narrow midfield four with let’s say, Rogers or Ramsey on the left, McGinn probably up around from the right, and then you would have to give both fullbacks the license to get forward, which I think would suit Cash more than sometimes when he has to tuck in,” Bardell said on the 1874 podcast.
“And obviously the left backs both speak for themselves. I also think two up front would need Kamara. I think he would need Kamara in that team in the midfield too as well.”
Boubacar Kamara’s importance to Aston Villa
Previously dubbed ‘quality’ for his performances last term, Kamara’s return to action could be pivotal to not not just the Duran and Watkins strike force but also their chances of finishing in the top four.
The 24-year-old is the most natural defensive midfielder from Emery’s current options, and the former Marseille man is excellent at breaking up play and effectively recycling possession.
Alongside one of Ross Barkley, Amadou Onana or Youri Tielemans, Villa have a player in Kamara who is capable of slotting in at centre-back.
It means that when Villa are attacking, they’re given added defensive protection while also unlocking their attacking potential, with his midfield partner offered a license to advance up the pitch.
