Jhon Duran has ‘justified’ Aston Villa summer transfer decisions after stunning start to season

We’re thrilled to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa blogger; each week, he’ll share his thoughts on the club’s most pressing issues…

According to Dan Bardell, Jhon Duran’s strong start to the season has “justified” Aston Villa’s choice not to recruit a new striker and instead sell Cameron Archer.

Many anticipated that Villa would be left wanting in the top flight heading into the new season. With the loss of Cameron Archer for £18 million to Sheffield United, only Ollie Watkins and Duran remained as out-and-out natural attackers in the club, with many questioning if the 19-year-old could fill in for Watkins.

However, his difference-making effort against Crystal Palace and his late goal against Everton has seen him keep pace with Villa’s other attackers. Duran joins four other Villa players as current joint-top scorers in the league with two a piece, while starting striker Watkins is yet to net.

Based on his surprise form, Bardell believes Villa’s summer transfer decisions to sell Archer and forego future additions were justified, as long as the teenager maintains his strong form.

“If Duran comes off the bench and scores goals, which he has a couple of times already, it almost justifies Villa’s summer decisions,” Bardell stated exclusively to Villa News.

“The fact that they let Cameron Archer go and didn’t bring in another forward, that decision has been justified.”

In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton has determined which surprise Villa Park standout will be retained.