Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has revealed he’s got no issue with Jhon Duran’s reaction to being substituted in their 2-0 Champions League win over Bologna on Tuesday night.
The Colombia international was given a rare start up top for the showdown at Villa Park, with Ollie Watkins forced to settle for a place on the bench.
Villa ran out 2-0 winners, with Duran scoring after John McGinn had put Emery’s side ahead.
Yet the striker was livid when he was hooked and replaced with Watkins, with Duran seen punching and kicking a seat in the dugout.
Aston Villa news: Jhon Duran was raging after being hooked in Tuesday night’s Champions League win over Bologna
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The forward also needed to be calmed down by Villa staff.
Emery, speaking following the clash, was asked about Duran’s reaction and what he made of it.
And the former Arsenal, PSG and Sevilla boss insisted he had no problem with the 20-year-old’s antics, insisting he was proud of his performance.
Emery said: “I have no problem with his reaction.
“Every message we send in the dressing room is about respect and having our values.
“Some young players can react a little bit but it is under my control. His first start of this year – always it is more difficult to start when the opponents are fresh.
“He played very well and he scored a good goal. It was fantastic the way he accelerated.
“We will play both strikers sometimes and when they play individually as well as today – with Ollie Watkins – it is best for the team.”
Villa are now top of the Champions League table, having picked up nine points from the first three matches.
They are the only side to boast a 100 per cent record, with Emery’s side giving themselves a good chance of automatically qualifying for the last 16.
The Villa boss is pleased with the progress his side have made.
Yet he’s eager for his players not to get carried away, with Emery insisting they can’t underestimate Club Brugge, who they face next in Europe.
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Aston VIlla news: Jhon Duran scored his side’s second goal in their Champions League win over Bologna
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“We are going to focus on each match and how we are in the moment,” he continued.
“Of course we won the first match away at Young Boys and then against Bayern Munich we were hoping to win to help get in the top eight.
“Today we’ve got another three points, now we must focus on Brugge. Of course if we keep getting points we can change our objective and try to get in the top eight.
“There are other contenders, bigger favourites than us but we are improving and we will see how we continue.”
Aston Villa news: Unai Emery was pleased with his side’s performance in their Champions League win over Bologna
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Bologna have now lost two matches in England this season, having previously been beaten by Liverpool. And manager Vincenzo Italiano believes both the Reds and Villa will ‘go very far’ in the Champions League this term.
Discussing the result, he said: “They have a high intensity and they are physically strong. When they counter-attack, they can turn a game around.
“They are of a very high level and I think as we played against Liverpool and Aston Villa, we have some good hints.
“Having said this, they are two very high level teams – they will go very far.”