Unai Emery refused to debate switch hypothesis surrounding Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran after Aston Villa secured their place within the Champions League spherical of 16 with a pulsating 4-2 win over Celtic tonight.
Morgan Rogers scored a hat-trick for the house aspect with Watkins additionally on the right track, simply hours after information emerged that Villa had acquired a £60million bid for the England striker from Arsenal.
And with Duran reportedly a goal for Saudi Arabian aspect Al Nassr – experiences tonight advised the deal was executed with the Colombian set to change into a team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo in a deal price £64 million – it means there could must be some work executed by Emery and the Villa recruitment crew ahed of Monday’s switch deadline.
Jhon Durán to Al Nassr, right here we go! Story from earlier tonight confirmed as paperwork are being ready.
Aston Villa to obtain €77m mounted payment plus add-ons, long run deal accepted by Durán.
Medical booked tomorrow after which he’ll journey to Saudi proper after
pic.twitter.com/m3SN6ots84
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2025
Requested about Duran, Emery stated: “Tomorrow or Friday we are able to speak concerning the switch, or possibly subsequent week, till every part is finished I don’t need to communicate, as a result of in soccer every part can occur. The membership is working and making an attempt to compete within the switch window as a result of we’d like some gamers. Some can depart, however it’s not time to discuss it.”
On Watkins, who additionally missed a penalty towards Celtic, he added: “I do know you need to ask about it, however I instructed you, right this moment is just not the day.”
Sensible Rogers overshadows Duran
Duran did not make it off the bench tonight, thanks largely because of the type of Watkins and Villa’s different attacking gamers, led by the good Rogers.
“Undoubtedly the spotlight of my profession up to now,” stated the previous Manchester Metropolis teen. “It’s a loopy expertise and a loopy sport to be part of. It’s a large achievement and we ought to be happy with ourselves.”
Rogers turned the primary participant in Champions League historical past to attain twice within the opening 5 minutes of a sport because the hosts got here flying out of the traps.
He added: ”It’s one thing we needed to handle beginning video games behind and giving ourselves a mountain to climb. Nonetheless one thing to work on however the good begin is one thing to place us on the best foot.
“I felt we had been on high for the massive majority. We scored two objectives and that’s what modified the sport. We’re a bit shorthanded on the again in the intervening time. We acquired the win.
“We needed to dig deep, we all know we are able to, we do it within the Premier League each week. We totally deserved it. We’ve acquired the starvation and the drive and we’ve acquired a supervisor who pushes us daily.”