Unai Emery Acknowledges Jhon Duran's Potential Exit While Urging Aston Villa To Retain Ollie Watkins

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Aston Villa secured a spot in the Champions League last 16 with a 4-2 victory over Celtic, finishing eighth in the standings. Despite this achievement, speculation surrounds the futures of Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins. Reports suggest Arsenal has bid for Watkins, while Duran is linked with a move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Watkins scored a crucial goal but missed a penalty, while Duran was absent from the lineup.

Unai Emery expressed reluctance to sell Ollie Watkins amid transfer rumours. "I don't want [to sell Watkins]," he told reporters. Emery acknowledged that offers from other clubs are positive but emphasised maintaining their sporting objectives with current players. He stated, "Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club." Emery highlighted Watkins as their key striker.

Regarding Jhon Duran, Emery seemed resigned to his possible exit, noting that if he leaves, it's because he prefers a different career path. "If he [Duran] leaves it's good news for us because they're paying good money and we developed him in two years," Emery remarked. He praised Duran as a fantastic young player and mentioned his efforts to guide him with advice.

Champions League Milestones

Morgan Rogers made history by becoming the second-youngest Englishman to score a hat-trick in the Champions League at 22 years and 187 days old. He also became the first player to score twice within the opening five minutes of a game in this competition. Villa's progress marks only their third time reaching the last 16 of Europe's top club tournament since 1983.

Emery's 61st Champions League match placed him third among Spanish managers for most games managed, surpassing Vicente del Bosque (60). Only Pep Guardiola (179) and Rafael Benitez (95) have more appearances. Emery expressed pride in Villa's achievements despite challenges, stating, "We are very proud of our work this year."

Villa's journey to the Champions League was challenging due to strong Premier League competition. Emery noted the importance of their progress from where they started, highlighting their maturity and responsibility amid transfer speculations. The timing of these rumours frustrated Emery on such an important night for Villa.

The club's return to Europe's premier competitions after decades is significant. Their performance against Celtic showcased resilience and determination, setting them up for further challenges ahead. As they prepare for future matches, Villa aims to build on this success while managing potential changes within their squad.