Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has expressed his desire to see in-form forwards Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran play together more frequently as the team aims for a sixth consecutive win in the Premier League. The third-placed team will be facing Ipswich Town on Sunday at 2pm BST.
Duran, the Colombia international, has made an impact this season by scoring four goals as a substitute, averaging one goal every 31 minutes. He was instrumental in Villa’s victories against West Ham, Leicester City, and Everton, securing the winning goals in those matches. On the other hand, England’s Watkins has been a consistent performer, starting all five league games and scoring three times in his last two appearances, in addition to providing an assist against Leicester.
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— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 27, 2024
Aston Villa: Duran ‘fantastic’
Emery praised Duran’s exceptional display in Villa’s recent Carabao Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers, where the forward scored a penalty and contributed significantly throughout the match. Emery mentioned, “It is my challenge to try to get the best of him playing as a striker, playing with Watkins as well.” He emphasized his intention to pair the two forwards more often in upcoming games, adapting their game plan according to each match.
However, Villa will be without John McGinn due to a hamstring injury he sustained in their last game against Wolves. On a positive note, center-back Tyrone Mings and midfielder Boubacar Kamara are close to full recoveries from long-term knee injuries and might feature in Under-21 matches next week, with a potential return to first-team action against Fulham on October 19.
Unai on a busy week ahead: “At the end of the season, we don’t want to remind ourselves of some moments when we weren’t focused on those points. We are thinking only about Ipswich Town and respecting them a lot. We are not thinking about the next match or the next week.” pic.twitter.com/b13TOYnl2A
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 27, 2024
Ipswich vs Aston Villa
In their last six Premier League encounters, Villa has dominated Ipswich with five wins and one draw. Ipswich, making a return to the top flight after nearly two decades, are currently in a commendable position. The Champions League debutants are placed third, tied on points with second-placed Liverpool and trailing behind leaders Manchester City by just one point.
Ipswich, on the other hand, managed to secure a draw in their last game against Southampton, thanks to captain Sam Morsy’s late equalizer. Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna has hinted at the possible inclusion of on-loan Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the upcoming match, while forward Nathan Broadhead has returned to training.
Conclusion:
As Villa gears up to face Ipswich Town in their quest for a sixth consecutive win, the partnership between Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran will be crucial for their success. Emery’s tactical adjustments and player rotations will be closely watched as the team aims to maintain their impressive form in the league. The return of key players like Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara adds depth to the squad, providing options for Emery in the upcoming fixtures.
Meanwhile, Ipswich will look to capitalize on their solid start to the season and cause an upset against Villa. With both teams motivated to secure a positive result, Sunday’s clash promises to be an exciting encounter for fans and neutrals alike.
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