Unai Emery"s Decision: Pairing Watkins and Duran Up Front for Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery faces a decision regarding the pairing of Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran in the starting lineup. Both players have shown impressive form, with Watkins scoring three goals in the first five league games and Duran netting four goals in just 131 minutes of play. Despite their potential, they have only started together twice, with mixed results in those matches. Their limited time on the pitch together raises questions about their compatibility as a duo. In recent games, Duran's impact as a substitute has been notable, contributing significantly to Villa's performance after coming on. Emery has acknowledged the need to explore different player combinations, indicating that he is still assessing how best to utilize his squad. The current strategy has yielded positive results, suggesting that Duran's role as a substitute may be more beneficial for the team at this stage. The upcoming match against Bayern Munich in the Champions League presents a challenging environment for Emery to experiment with his lineup. The manager's cautious approach may lead him to retain the successful formula that has worked thus far, rather than risk a new pairing against a formidable opponent. The presence of other strong players, such as Morgan Rogers, complicates the decision further. Ultimately, the potential for Watkins and Duran to play together remains an intriguing option for Emery. As the season progresses, the manager will need to weigh the benefits of starting both players against the current effectiveness of the team’s tactics and player performances.