Aston Villa has a storied history of prolific strikers in the Premier League, from Dwight Yorke, who shined in the 1990s, to Dion Dublin and Christian Benteke, who each enjoyed impressive stints at Villa Park.
Today, Ollie Watkins has taken on the mantle, tallying an impressive 75 goals and 29 assists in 181 appearances in the famous Claret and Blue. However, another emerging talent in Villa’s squad, Jhon Duran, is quickly establishing himself as a major attacking threat.
Jhon Duran’s Breakthrough at Villa
Since joining Aston Villa from MLS side Chicago Fire for £18 million in 2023, Duran has shown exceptional scoring prowess. The 20-year-old Colombian has notched up 16 goals in just 63 games, despite only playing a total of 1,666 minutes, which is equivalent to around 18.5 full matches. This means Duran averages almost one goal per 90 minutes, an impressive feat for a player new to European football.
This season, Duran’s form has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s scored eight times in 14 games, including four goals in nine Premier League matches and two in three Champions League appearances. According to FBref, Duran ranks 4th across Europe’s top five leagues for goals per 90 minutes, with a rate of 1.48, showing just how lethal he’s become in front of goal.
Villa’s Interest in Ferran Torres
Aston Villa could be looking to bolster their squad even further, with reports linking them to Barcelona and Spain winger Ferran Torres. According to sources in Spain, via *London World*, Villa and Arsenal are both prepared to pursue Torres, with both clubs reportedly willing to offer a reasonable fee for the Euro 2024 winner.
The 24-year-old Torres has Premier League experience, having spent 18 months at Manchester City before moving to Barcelona in a £46.7 million deal in 2022. At City, he scored 16 goals and registered four assists in 43 appearances. Torres has continued to perform well for Barcelona, contributing 41 goals across 123 matches, helping them remain competitive both domestically and in the Champions League.
Potential Partnership Between Duran and Torres
Torres could be a valuable addition to Villa’s squad, not only for his talent but for the chemistry he has historically developed with his team’s strikers. Known for his ability to link up effectively with frontmen, Torres has formed strong partnerships throughout his career, including with Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, combining for six goals together. This ability to complement center-forwards could translate well to a partnership with Duran, providing an additional edge to Villa’s attack.
The prospect of adding a player of Torres’ caliber—who talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “insanely good”—could make Duran even more dangerous and help Villa push for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Not only would Torres add quality to the wing, but his knack for linking with strikers might amplify Duran’s goal-scoring opportunities.
Bringing in Torres could be an astute move for Villa, enhancing their offensive arsenal as they strive to secure European competition and establish themselves among the Premier League’s elite.