Jhon Duran has been described as ‘a different animal’ by Aston Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers following his Champions League strike.
Duran scored his first-ever Champions league goal as he netted the winner for Villa against German giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening, securing a shock victory for Unai Emery’s men.
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.Â
Jhon Duran (pictured) has been branded ‘a different animal’ by Aston Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers
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.