Unai Emery weighs in on Aston Villa transfer ‘possibility’ as 19-goal duo dealt verdicts

Unai Emery has confirmed Aston Villa striker duo Cameron Archer and Jhon Duran are very much in his plans ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Both behind Ollie Watkins in the pecking order, it was wondered whether respective loan moves would be in the offing but it appears Emery is keen to keep them around.

Archer is a youth academy graduate and has played the odd game here and there for the senior team but really shined when on loan at Middlesbrough.

The 21-year-old contributed 11 goals and six assists in 20 Championship appearances before going on to win the UEFA U21 European Championship with England.

Meanwhile, Duran has plenty of hype around his name following a £14.3 million January transfer from Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire.

The 19-year-old Colombia international, who was once linked with Manchester United, scored eight and assisted five in 27 MLS matches in 2022 before making the ambitious move to Villa Park.

With an extra competition to be played, it comes as no surprise that Villa’s head coach is considering offering youngsters more game time.

If you thought last campaign’s schedule was busy, just wait for the introduction of the Europa Conference League. It’ll completely overwhelm Villa’s schedule, so they need depth.

“We’re not speaking about the possibility of [Duran] going on loan,” Emery admitted to Birmingham Mail ahead of the Premier League Summer Series clash with Fulham.

“He’s a player we will need, he’s our second striker with Archer and we have to use both as well and we have to give them chances to help us.

“It’s not a possibility for Duran to go on loan, it’s to stay here,” Emery confirmed.

The Villans remain in the United States for two more pre-season friendlies - against Fulham and Brentford - before returning to the West Midlands to take on Lazio on August 3.