Coach Unai Emery of Aston Villa has told Jhon Duran to “focus on his emotions” and stop trying so hard to make an impression every time he plays

Coach Unai Emery of Aston Villa has told Jhon Duran to “focus on his emotions” and stop trying so hard to make an impression every time he plays. It’s possible the January signing will be in the mix for a starting role then.

For a total of £14.75m (plus £3.3m in add-ons), the Colombian player went to Villa Park. Yet, Duran has only spent 50 minutes in the claret and blue thus far. As for his play under Emery, he has yet to score or assist. Despite a lack of major progress, there have been some encouraging indicators.

Duran, a 19-year-old rookie, did not get enough playing time from Emery on his debut against Leicester City. Against Manchester City, Ollie Watkins scored off an assist from Douglas Luiz before the striker could get involved. Also, at 30 minutes, it was his longest game to date.

When playing against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Duran made the most of his time on the pitch by actively seeking his first professional goal. But as he prepared to fire from around 35 yards away, the ex-Chicago Fire striker stumbled. In added time of their 3-1 defeat, he struck the crossbar with a half-volley.

Before Aston Villa’s late collapse, Emery decided to limit Duran’s time on the field to only 12 minutes in the previous match against Arsenal. A striker with three international caps, he almost gave the Villains the lead at 3-2. He broke down the left flank and was met by a save from Aaron Ramsdale.

This next Saturday, Aston Villa will take on Everton on the road, and Duran is expected to be on Emery’s bench once again. The Villans manager is certain, though, that his new striker will soon be able to start alongside Watkins. But first, he has to prove he’s improved and stop seeming so anxious to win matches.

“Duran has to improve, has to adapt,” Emery said, via quotes by Birmingham Live. 

“He has potential, of course, and we are speaking with him and the adaptation will be easy for him. His mentality is good. Now we are going to work on his emotion when he is playing. It has an impact with his desires to score, wishing to show his performance. But we have to take the balance when he is playing because, tactically, he has to learn. He has to adapt – he is doing it every day and we’re demanding with him,” he added. After eight goals and six assists in 28 appearances for Chicago Fire, Aston Villa signed Duran in January. But, the attacker from Medellin played his last game for the MLS club in October. Thus, it will take some time for the Colombian to come up to speed with Emery’s Birmingham side.