pwshub.com

Jhon Duran is branded 'a different animal' by Aston Villa team-mate

Jhon Duran has been described as 'a different animal' by Aston Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers following his Champions League strike.

Villa are now two from two in terms of wins in their return to Europe's premier competition, and Duran is having the run of his life despite starting on the bench in the majority of games so far this term.

Forward Duran has started just one of his nine appearances for Villa this season - averaging a little over 34 minutes per showing - yet he has netted six times already.

He has now announced himself to the European stage too and Rogers, who has at times this term played behind Duran, spoke highly of his team-mate after Wednesday night's game. 

Rogers (right) was among the first to celebrate after Duran netted the winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions League

Despite his fine goal scoring form, the forward continues to only be involved in games from the substitutes bench

'When he comes on with all that energy he knows he'll get that chance and backs himself 100 per cent,' Rogers said. 'He's a great lad.'

He added: 'When I first came to the club, I didn't have a clue he was 20 by the way. He's such a handful, you can see his ability.

'[He is the] most chilled, relaxed person I've ever met. When it's time to go, different animal.'

It was a looping effort from around 30 yards that did for Duran on Wednesday, after the forward had latched onto Pau Torres' long ball from defence.

Manuel Neuer was left stranded and Duran hit his effort first time from well outside the box and saw the ball nestle into the back of the net.

It is a different claret and blue that Duran could have been performing in this season after he came close to joining West Ham in the summer, going as far as making the club's traditional 'irons' sign with his arms on an Instagram live stream.

But a goal on the opening day at the Hammers and apology to the fans put that to bed and he hasn't looked back since, now starring in the season despite not being a starter.

Duran has started just one of his nine games this season, averaging just over 34 minutes per appearance

He has, however, still netted six goals in those nine appearances as he tries to force his way into the team from the start

It was Ollie Watkins who the Colombian replaced on Wednesday, though Emery has at times experimented with both of his forwards on the pitch at the same time.

It appears, however, that it will only be one from the start - at least both in central roles - so Duran is left fighting to try and get in the team.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Related stories
3 hours ago - Kane played the full 90 minutes for Bayern as they looked to secure their second win of the new Champions League campaign after beating Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 last time out.
2 weeks ago - TOM COLLOMOSSE AT VILLA PARK: It was while walking through Warsaw airport in September 2023 that Mail Sport was first alerted to what the football world thinks of Jhon Duran.
2 hours ago - Unai Emery's side secured a historic victory over the German side in their Champions League clash on Wednesday as Jhon Duran came off the bench to score the only goal of the game.
3 hours ago - TOM COLLOMOSSE: Unai Emery revealed Manuel Neuer had fallen into Aston Villa's trap after they delivered a stunning win over Bayern Munich.
4 hours ago - TOM COLLOMOSSE AT VILLA PARK: Duran scored once again after coming off the bench and his side had goalkeeper Martinez to thank as the held on for victory despite late pressure.
Other stories
5 minutes ago - The boots of Lionel Messi produced magic once again as the Argentine bagged two goals to help Inter Miami defeat the Columbus Crew 3-2 - securing the Supporters Shield for the Herons.
1 hour ago - SAMI MOKBEL: Slumped in his chair in the aftermath of Tottenham's north London derby defeat, Johnson reached for his phone. Before he knew it, he was lost in an abyss of social media hate.
2 hours ago - JOE BERNSTEIN: The story of TNS, hailing from the village of Llansantffraid, meeting one of Serie A's aristocrats in the Conference League is a sporting tale for the ages.
2 hours ago - Mohamed Salah set a new Champions League record as he scored an excellent goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win at home to Bologna.
2 hours ago - The Italian giants continued their revival under Thiago Motta with an impressive win in Germany, despite playing with 10 men for the last half an hour.