“He’s not going to be playing over Ollie Watkins next season, he needs to mature” – Jhon Duran warned what he must ‘quickly’ do to truly breakthrough at Aston Villa

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has now been warned of what he must improve if he is to have a future in Unai Emery’s side.

Emery and Monchi will be braced for a busy summer at Aston Villa as the Midlands club aims to prepare the squad for the Champions League. 

After confirming a fourth-place finish in the 2023/24 Premier League season, Villa returned to the big time in Europe, with the manager now needing a squad with the calibre to contend with Europe’s elite.

The manager will be eager to retain all of the stars that assisted him in returning Villa to the Champions League however, one player’s long-term future could be in doubt if he does not improve one key area of his game.

There are doubts about Jhon Duran’s fit in Emery’s squad, with journalist John Townley outlining what the 20-year-old needs to do to advance at Villa.

On the Claret and Blue podcast, while evaluating Villa’s prospects before the summer transfer window, Townley shared his views on what Duran must improve to stay in Emery’s team.

“Duran is really interesting, he has every attribute to become a top striker but, he needs to learn and needs to learn quickly.”

The Colombia international has had his fair share of drama since arriving at Villa Park for £18m, most notably his social media interactions when transfer links were formed in January. 

Still only 20 years old, Duran must look to improve his game both on and off the pitch, with Townley calling on the former MLS star to ‘mature’.

“He needs to mature, Emery has said that he is maturing.

“Duran needs to realise what an opportunity he has at Villa and just knuckle down and continue to work and not complain or moan or want something that isn’t there, he’s not going to be playing over Ollie Watkins next season.”