Unai Emery aims to keep Aston Villa's highly rated duo for a very long time | OneFootball

Aiming to preserve continuity and success at Villa Park, Unai Emery is determined to keep star strikers Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran for the long haul. He believes both forwards have what it takes to deliver consistent performances for many seasons, especially in a competitive modern football landscape where top talents are often lured away by other clubs.

Emery's vision for the future

Emery has declared his desire to retain Watkins and Duran for the next decade or even beyond, emphasising that any opportunity to hold on to highly sought-after players is a badge of honour for Aston Villa supporters.

He particularly admires Watkins’s fitness levels, drawing inspiration from what he describes as extended careers in modern football. Referring to former Villa goalkeeper Pepe Reina, now 42 and still playing in Italy, Emery is confident that Watkins could enjoy a similarly lengthy career. He said,

Aston Villa FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League | Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Watkins, who finished last season with an impressive tally of 19 goals and 13 assists, remains a constant threat to opposing defences. Emery values his knack for pressuring rivals and his knack for contributing in the final third. On the other hand, Duran has already scored 12 goals this season despite limited starts.

Speculation surrounding the Colombian’s future rose when Paris Saint-Germain emerged as a potential suitor, but his decision to pen a long-term deal in October offers hope he will continue to grow under Emery’s leadership.

Challenges and opportunities

Keeping both strikers has its complications, particularly after Duran’s three-match suspension due to a red card incident against Newcastle United. Although that pause threatened to disrupt his rhythm, Emery remains upbeat about the 21-year-old’s capacity to bounce back. He has spent time reviewing footage with Duran to iron out any rough edges in decision-making during high-pressure moments, showing his faith in harnessing the forward’s tremendous potential.

Interest from prominent European outfits has only intensified as Duran demonstrates his abilities, but Emery insists Aston Villa has no plans to let him go. With a packed schedule featuring matches against Everton, Arsenal, and a Champions League meeting with Monaco, the manager intends to maximise both strikers’ skills. He believes that pairing Watkins and Duran together can create a dynamic force up front, though he is equally prepared to deploy either one individually to suit each match’s requirements.

As Villa gears up for the clash with Everton, Emery hopes Duran will regain his form quickly. In the manager’s view, Watkins’s endurance and Duran’s flair can complement each other and give the team a boost in upcoming fixtures. Above all, Emery’s priority is to ensure both attackers remain at the heart of Aston Villa’s future.