Jhon Duran RAGES as he’s substituted for Ollie Watkins just moments after scoring in Aston Villa’s 2-0 win over Bologna… as Unai Emery faces battle to keep striker happy amid rival interest
Jhon Duran entered a fit of rage after being substituted by Unai Emery in Aston Villa’s 2-0 win over Bologna in the Champions League at Villa Park.
The Villans made it three wins from three games upon their return to Europe’s premier competition, with their victory over the Italian outfit sending them top of the 36-club table.
Duran scored the all-important second goal for the hosts at the Holte End after captain John McGinn had opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second half.
As his celebrations came to a close, the Colombian forward looked to the bench to see Ollie Watkins waiting on the touchline and his number on the fourth official’s board.
The Colombian striker then visibly lost his cool as he took his place back on the bench, kicking and punching his seat in frustration.
Jhon Duran vented his frustration on the bench after being substitued for Ollie Watkins
Duran scored Aston Villa’s second of the match to kill the game in the 64th minute moments before he was hooked
Duran was handed his first-ever Champions League start by Emery following his heroics in the historic victory against Bayern Munich earlier in the month.
The 20-year-old, who has been hailed as a ‘super sub’ this season, made his mark in the 64th minute when he drifted into the box and hooked Morgan Rogers’ cross into the far corner.
It would prove to be his last touch as he was replaced by Ollie Watkins, who did not look best pleased when he saw his team-mate find the back of the net.
Duran then had to be calmed down by a member of Emery’s staff as he gave the bench a good pummeling, before heading down the tunnel only a matter of moments later.
While the forward only signed a new six-year deal as recently as two weeks ago, the forward has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the last 24 hours.
Colombian outlet AS have reported that the Gunners are eyeing a move for Duran, who has scored seven goals in just 404 minutes of football this season, as they look to secure the services of an out-and-out striker.
The striker’s temper tantrum on the bench will do nothing to ease the fears of Villa fans, as they look to keep him happy as understudy to star man Ollie Watkins.
However, following the match, Emery was quick to defend Duran as he looked to ease concern around the incident.
Duran got on the end of Morgan Rogers’ cross to mark his first Champions League start with his seventh goal of the season
Within a minute he was substituted for Ollie Watkins who also did not look best pleased
Duran’s performance earned him UEFA’s Man of the Match award and he was then all smiles
‘He [Duran] scored the goal and it was fantastic and he was wanting more because he was thinking he could score more goals,’ the Villa boss said. ‘He did very good work and the last minutes is for (Ollie) Watkins and we keep going.
‘No (issue with reaction). I am managing everything but everything we are sending the message in the dressing room is to respect our values and try to be mature and responsible. Sometimes players react a bit but it is under my control.’
Duran’s team-mate, Youri Tielemans, echoed his manager’s thoughts, even seeing the funny side to the situation.
‘He (Duran) is really funny. The manager does not care. He knows everyone wants to play. It is part of the game,’ said Tielemans.
‘Duran has everything – has technique, he can hold the ball and can flick on. He is an all-round striker.’
Meanwhile, Emery refused to get carried away even though his side have all but secured a place in the next round of the Champions League, with two more wins potentially being enough to see them into the last 16.
Unai Emery defended the Colombian striker and stated he just wanted ‘more’ goals in the game
‘We can change the objective and to be in the top eight but I want to feel in a natural way what we are doing, but not a surprise,’ added Emery. ‘Of course, there are other teams who are contenders and favourites to get top eight.
‘We are playing seriously. We are playing focused, responsible and the team is progressing and mature in everything.
‘It is always difficult at home in Europe. We have had to try and be consistent in our gameplan for 90 minutes and I think we did that. We played really brilliant.’
