The VTID 3 – Señor Duran Duran
By Jonathan Northall
There was a lot to like about Saturday’s win at West Ham. First, it was a win at West Ham. Second, it was a win on the opening day of the season. And third, it provided an excellent baseline to measure Villa’s progress over the next few games. Of course, it was Jhon Durán who got the winner. So, in honour of that, this week’s column returns to a musical theme. Who better to inspire than Birmingham’s favorite pop band, Jhon Jhon? Well, something like that.
Hungry Like the Wolf
How good is Durán? He may be a temperamental off the field, but it’s worth it when you consider what he brings to Villa. According to FBRef.com, Durán has scored 1.07 goals per 90 minutes over the last year, putting him in the 99th percentile for that stat. He’s also up there in tackles won, fouls drawn, and shots on target. No wonder Unai Emery wants to keep him. Durán’s goal against West Ham had an xG of 0.15, showing that he knows how to finish—something that could be vital this season. He clearly wants to start games, and that’s understandable, but a bit of patience from the Villa number nine wouldn’t hurt.
Is There Something I Should Know?
Is Durán’s perceived desire to get away from Villa Park just about starting football games? Being just 20-years-old, highly talented players need a steady guiding hand off the pitch. There is many a previously rated footballer advised to make the wrong move because of bad advice – whether it’s a family member or over-zealous agent looking for a quick pay day has led to the footballing wastelands.
There are stories of Durán’s alleged dissention at training. Such indiscipline will not be tolerated wherever the Colombian thinks the grass is greener. Emery has spoken of his desire for Durán to stay and I would advise both player and ‘advisers’ to think about that carefully before any more cack-handed attempts at trying to force a move.
All You Need Is Now
The furore over the Hammers symbol on a live Instagram post has been dealt with internally by Villa. I think most fans will also forgive him after his exploits at London Stadium. He needs to realize that Champions League football is within his grasp—if he chooses to stay—and it’s crucial for his development as an elite forward.
What does he want to achieve? If he wanted to be the next Kylian Mbappé, he’s not going to achieve that playing up front at West Ham. Sorry Hammers fans but it is true. Aston Villa is the ideal place for Jhon Durán right now. Being the second striker for a Champions League team is a rather good place to be as a 20-year-old. And under the tutelage of Emery, Durán can dream big. I can’t think where in the world of football, he’ll have a better opportunity this season.
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Wild Boys
What was truly beautiful about Saturday’s game was Emery’s tactical nous in changing the match with carefully planned substitutions.. The bench looked pretty stacked with talent and that was proven to be the case. Just look at the ages of that talent to come off the bench: 18, 20, two 22-year-olds, and ‘old man’ Jacob Ramsey at 23. There is still so much time for all this talent to mature. Villa is building an empire. This is a team to grow not only this season but future ones too. It really is a special time for Villa supporters. There are no guarantees, of course, but everything points to us pushing for the top four again this season, despite what the so-called experts might say.
A View to a Kill
To wrap up this week’s column, let’s look ahead to Saturday. It’s only week two, but we have a clash with Arsenal. Much has been spoken about Mikel Arteta’s team and whether they can beat Manchester City to the league title. To do so, they will have certainly circled getting something from Villa Park as very important to their title ambition. Last season, Manchester City took three points off Villa, Arsenal took none. It proved to be the difference to which team won the title.
If Villa win again, then their repeated assault on the Premier League Top Four will be rubber stamped as serious. I think we can pretty much guarantee goals. There has not been a goalless game in the fixture since 2012; eighteen matches since with an average of two goals per game. For most of those matches when Villa was a vastly inferior opponent for Arsenal. Even Arteta will admit that is not the case now. This is the tie of the week, and will be a statement to the rest of the league whoever prevails. Just imagine if it is the boys in claret and blue celebrating come Saturday evening, what a season it would already be shaping up to be.
Until next time…UTV
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