Durán’s potential is “enormous”, says Emery

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says Jhon Durán has “enormous” potential after the 20-year-old once again came off the bench to score in the 3-2 Champions League win at Leipzig.

The Colombian has scored six goals from the bench this season, more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.

He also has the most goals from outside the box after his latest speculative goal helped Villa move up to third place in the Champions League standings.

Jhon Durán that is OUTRAGEOUS 🤯

Villa is back in front at the Red Bull Arena 👏#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/qTyp3iWhML

– Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 10, 2024

Emery said: “The idea when we prepare the game plan is also that the substitutes help if we need it. Ollie Watkins had a small injury and Durán scores. Emiliano Buendía enters and helps Ross Barkley score the third goal. This is what any coach would want.

“Sometimes he (Durán) is very passionate and we have to try to maintain balance with him.

“He scored a great goal and he is working and we are trying to strengthen the team with a tactical approach. Its potential is enormous. Tactically he is improving and today he played a fantastic 45 minutes.”

Villa are well placed to qualify directly for the last 16, and Barkley’s 85th-minute winner takes them five points behind leaders Liverpool with two games remaining.

Emery told Amazon Prime: “The Champions League is very difficult and we must hope that all the teams playing at home feel strong. We played with consistency and dominance.

“Today we thought that if we won we could be contenders in the last two games to be among the top eight. We got this option and we are going to try to be among the top eight. “We are happy because we are among the top 24.”