Unai Emery insists Jhon Duran must keep adapting to Aston Villa’s ‘rhythm’ after imperssing in his second appearence for the club against Manchester City. Duran joined Villa in a transfer worth up to £18 million from MLS side Chicago Fire and has made an encouraging start to life as a Premier League centre-forward. After making his debut against Leicester City last weekend, Duran was given 30 minutes to put himself about at the Etihad Stadium. The Colombian teenager came into the match when Villa were 3-0 down and instantly helped to reduce the deficit by applying pressure to Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese gave the ball away before Ollie Watkins converted Douglas Luiz’s through ball. Asked about Duran after the defeat to City,
Unai Emery said: “Yes he has potential but he has to work as well, tactically, offensively and defensively. He has to adapt to his team-mates and our rhythm and as well every minute he is playing now on the pitch is very good for him, for the team but we have to be patient with him.”
Villa travelled to the Etihad having won all three of their away league matches under Emery, but their 100% record on the road was dented by Pep Guardiola’s champions.
Unai Emery added: “After our three victories away, we were thinking as well to keep consistency and be competitive. Of course we know today was a tough match. We were playing against one of the best teams in the Premier League and it was difficult here because they were clinical. We made some unusual mistakes but at the end of the first half, we kept our position on the pitch, trying to score one goal and not concede many chances and we did it but really now it is finished and we think about the next match at home against Arsenal on Saturday.”
