Jhon Duran (foto: Getty Images)
19-year-old Colombian sensation, Jhon Duran, was named the Man of the Match in Aston Villa's game against Crystal Palace.
The young striker, who recently rejoined Villa after his stint with the Colombian national team, has quickly become a fan favorite, drawing comparisons to former Villa star, Christian Benteke.
In the recent Premier League match, Duran entered the game in the final quarter against Crystal Palace and made an immediate impact.
Aston Villa's coach, Unai Emery, gave Duran the chance to shine, and he didn't disappoint. In the 87th minute, Duran masterfully controlled a cross from the left with his chest and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot, equalizing the score at 1-1. This goal paved the way for Villa's comeback, with the team eventually securing a 3-1 victory.
Social media was abuzz with fans praising Duran's goal, drawing parallels to a memorable goal scored by Benteke in 2014 against Norwich City. Both goals were celebrated for their chest controls and swift finishes. While Benteke's was a bicycle kick and Duran's a volley, the similarities were evident. Fans are already hailing Duran as Benteke's successor, given his promising start.
Duran's influence in the recent Villa match was undeniable. He won the Man of the Match award, securing 47% of the 9,300 votes. This recognition marks Duran's first since joining Aston Villa from Chicago Fire earlier this year. He aims to maintain this high level of performance, not only to achieve club success but also to remain a key player for the Colombian national team.
So far, Duran has netted three goals for Aston Villa, two in the Premier League and one in the UEFA Conference League.
He's expected to feature in Villa's upcoming match against Legia Warsaw in the Conference League group stage on September 21st.