<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1WpCmH_0vKRKXyg00" style="display:none" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1WpCmH_0vKRKXyg00" width="1666" height="937" ><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0qJI2R_0vKRKXyg00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0qJI2R_0vKRKXyg00" width="3333" height="553" > BBC </figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1vzXw5_0vKRKXyg00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1vzXw5_0vKRKXyg00" width="1024" height="576" > Getty Images </figure><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> It seems the answer was there all the time. With Ollie Watkins not yet finding the form of recent seasons, Villa have turned to Jhon Duran for the final half hour of each of their first three Premier League games, and on two occasions he has produced what has turned out to be a decisive goal. Moreover, he has shown himself to be the viable alternative to Watkins, more effectively channelling the energy and power only sometimes evident last season. Previously, Duran looked like he had the potential to become a serious Premier League player; now, suddenly, the elements seem to have fused together. A few weeks ago, it was widely assumed that Duran would indeed be a Premier League player this season, but probably for <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> Chelsea </a> or <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham-united?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> West Ham </a> . Apparently impatient to play a greater role more often, rather than having to wait for Watkins to fall over, Duran - it was understood - saw his future somewhere else. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> It will be for Duran himself, one day, to tell us how he felt. There is no need, though; his performances in the early games of this season have said quite enough. Do they look to you like the work of a man who thinks he would be better off playing somewhere else? Hardly. He has answered some internal critics in the right way. Villa’s captain, John McGinn, made some pointed remarks in public about Duran last season, but last weekend said he was not alone in noticing an improved attitude: "I think the coaching staff and players have been pleasantly surprised too about how he has handled it all.” Perhaps this episode just reminds us that everyone grows up at different speeds. That can be a hard process for anyone, and must be considerably more so in the worldwide spotlight of the Premier League, as a young man living not just away from home - but on a new continent. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Allowing them some leeway, to let off a little bit of steam, can be worthwhile. We are also reminded that McGinn is a smart guy to have leading your team. Maybe Glaswegians are just pretty good at knowing when it is best to tell it straight. In any case, with Champions League fixtures coming quickly after the international break, there should be enough chances to play in important games to satisfy Duran, Watkins and everyone else in the Villa squad. Tune into <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001g9px?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bnewsbreak.com%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow"> The West Midlands Football Phone-In </a> from 18:00 on weeknights <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1RMZNl_0vKRKXyg00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1RMZNl_0vKRKXyg00" width="1826" height="317" > BBC </figure><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate></div></body>

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Duran proved himself 'the viable alternative' to Watkins

It seems the answer was there all the time. With Ollie Watkins not yet finding the form of recent seasons, Villa have turned to Jhon Duran for the final half hour of each of their first three Premier League games, and on two occasions he has produced what has turned out to be a decisive goal. Moreover, he has shown himself to be the viable alternative to Watkins, more effectively channelling the energy and power only sometimes evident last season. Previously, Duran looked like he had the potential to become a serious Premier League player; now, suddenly, the elements seem...

Duran proved himself 'the viable alternative' to Watkins

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