Martinez Believes Jhon Duran Could Become The World's Top Striker

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez believes Jhon Duran has the potential to become one of the world's top strikers. Duran scored a stunning 30-yard goal against Everton, helping Villa secure a 3-2 comeback victory at Villa Park. The Colombian forward was substituted in after 69 minutes and netted his goal just seven minutes later.

Duran's goal marked his third winning strike from the bench this season, setting a Premier League record for most winners as a substitute in a single season. Martinez praised Duran's performance, stating, "I have seen it from behind and I saw the ball moving - it was unstoppable. It was a great strike."

Martinez further added, "We have been trying to help Duran in the Premier League and if he can keep the consistency, he can be a really big threat. He can be one of the best strikers in the world, but he needs to keep his feet on the ground and to work hard."

Ollie Watkins also played a crucial role in Villa's victory by scoring twice to level the match before Duran's decisive goal. This brace was Watkins' first for the club since April 2024. Despite not being at full fitness due to a shortened pre-season after Euro 2024, Watkins managed to get into scoring positions effectively.

"There's such a quick turnaround from the Euros. A lot of the boys are getting back up to fitness," Watkins told Sky Sports. "I'm not at 100%. I took some time off during the international break. I don't want to miss too many matches, though."

Looking Ahead

Watkins expressed some disappointment about not achieving a hat-trick but remained positive about his performance and team's result. "I'm disappointed I didn't get the hat-trick. I should be coming off with the match ball, but I'll settle for the two," he said.

Reflecting on their recent performances, Watkins added, "We were obviously unlucky against Arsenal. We're delighted we got [the win] today. Now we focus on the Champions League, which everyone is looking forward to."

The victory against Everton has boosted Aston Villa's confidence as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League fixtures.