Aston Villa have a ‘special’ youngster who may have an even higher ceiling than Ollie Waktins

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After experiencing a moment with England that could rival the highs of a lot of careers, Ollie Watkins hasn’t quite returned to Aston Villa at his sharpest so far this season.

Only three games have been played, there’s absolutely no need to be dramatic at this point, but Watkins has been spurring chances at Villa, and it’s odd to see.

It would still take a brave person to bet against Watkins to score 15 or 20 goals this season, who perhaps is still dealing with some mental and physical fatigue.

Fortunately, Unai Emery will stick by his number nine through thick and thin, even if we are still a long way off of experiencing the latter.

But perhaps Watkins’ form could actually lend to the emergence of a new superstar at Villa Park, one who’s been involved in a different drama this summer.

Unai Emery is playing a risky game with Jhon Duran at Villa

Throughout the summer, Jhon Duran was often linked with a Villa exit, and on the club’s part, it seems as if they would have sold the Colombian for the right price.

20-year-old Duran is already growing impatient for first team chances, explaining why Watkins’ indifferent form presents a big opportunity.

READ MORE: £50m player says he never actually wanted to join Aston Villa

In his substitute appearances this season, Duran has already scored twice, a player who rarely ever wastes an opportunity on the pitch.

Duran has been hailed as a player with ‘special’ potential by Emery in the past, and both of Villa’s Premier League away trips so far this season have proven why.

And despite how good Watkins is, and the level he’s achieved for club and country, it’s not hard not to conclude that Duran may have a higher ceiling in the long run.

Duran is right to demand more chances amid West Ham links

In terms of his skill-set, Duran is already a better ball-striker than most strikers in the Premier League, an ability that comes so naturally to the youngster.

The Colombian is fast, powerful and an aerial threat, he really does have it all in his game.

Suggesting that Duran could be better than Watkins one day shouldn’t be a slight on the Englishman, rather it’s just an ode to the potential the 20-year-old possesses.

Perhaps some of Duran’s antics off of the field this summer, particularly when West Ham were chasing his signature, have been less than desirable.

But if Villa afford the striker the right chances across the season, there’s no doubt that they’ll yield their reward – a player ready to showcase his talent in the Champions League.