Jhon Duran scored the winning goal for Aston Villa at the London Stadium.
The English press believes that Jhon Durán deserves to start against ArsenalHowever, Watkins’ present weighs on Emery’s final decision.
Aston Villa host Arsenal on Saturday (11:30am CET) for their first home game of the season after beating West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium on the opening weekend.
Jhon Duran at Aston Villa.
Jhon Duran, the big doubt against Arsenal
Jhon Durán came off the bench to score the winning goal against the Hammerswho wanted to sign the Colombian international earlier this summer.
New signing Amadou Onana had put Villa ahead early on before Lucas Paqueta converted from the penalty spot to level the game before the break.
Villa face last season’s Premier League runners-up Arsenal on Saturday, looking to win their opening two Premier League games in a season for the fourth time, having done so in 1995-96, 1999-00 and 2020-21. Villa are the only team to have beaten Arsenal in the Premier League in 2024, winning 2-0 in April.
They have beaten Arsenal in three consecutive Premier League meetings twice before, but face a huge challenge to do so again considering the Gunners have won 17 of 19 games this calendar year.
In Premier League history, the most wins by a team in their first 20 games in a year is 18, earned by Liverpool in 1982 and Man City in both 2019 and 2021.
Emi Martinez, who has just signed a new long-term contract with the club, will start in goal for Villa. Matty Cash came off the pitch in the win over West Ham but could be available to face Arsenal on Saturday. He could form part of an unchanged backline.
Ian Maatsen will have to work hard to get into the starting eleven after his excellent performance as a substitute at the London Stadium, but Unai Emery is banking on Lucas Digne, who will be tasked with controlling Bukayo Saka. Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans should continue in the double pivot.
Leon Bailey will start on the right wing, while John McGinn and Morgan Rogers have done enough to warrant back-to-back starts after strong individual performances last weekend.
Despite scoring the winner against West Ham, Emery is likely to keep Duran on the bench and retain Ollie Watkins in the starting XI.
The England international looked rusty last Saturday but will be eager to get in the mix this weekend. Duran’s impact off the bench could be a key weapon for Villa, as he was in the opening game of the season.
Predicted Villa XI: Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, Bailey, McGinn, Rogers, Watkins.
Read more: Jhon Durán spoke to Unai Emery about the Aston Villa transfer.
