In January 2023, Villa boss Unai Emery made Duran his second signing
Bringing the then teenager to the club for an initial £14.75m, plus a potential £3.3m in add-ons.
Pelzer said: “[We weren’t] naive to think he will stay here [Chicago] forever. It’s the ambition the player has to have when we try to bring him on, it’s important he wants to move on at a certain point because it shows his character and competitiveness. That’s what he showed.”
Just 38 minutes into his Villa career he crashed a volley off the crossbar against Manchester City.
He was eased into the picture that season though, making 12 appearances – all from the bench – at an average of just 10 minutes per game, without scoring.
Last season though he started making waves – even though he could not, and still cannot, get into the team on a regular basis because of the form and ability of Watkins.
He netted three Europa Conference League goals including qualifiers, and five times in the Premier League – including two in the last five minutes of a 3-3 draw against Liverpool in May.
In the summer though he courted แทงบอล UFABET ราคาดีที่สุด ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ controversy. He had reportedly agreed personal terms with West Ham and in a live social media video he crossed his arms to imitate West Ham’s Irons logo.
Had he made the move it would have been a third transfer before turning 21. But Villa did not sell him.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, speaking Champions League show, said: “Credit to Emery. When you have a player. Who wants to leave, usually a manager says let him go.
“He put his arm around him and said, ‘you’ll get your chances, we need you’ and now that’s the best proof. The difference he’s made is massive. Both parties – player and management – will say they’ve done a good job.”
Duran started this season off in spectacular form, scoring four goals in six substitute appearances in the Premier League.
Most notably he netted against West Ham and indicated in his goal celebration that he was staying at Villa.
He also struck a brilliant long-range winner against Everton.