Whilst the international break means there is no Premier League football to sink our teeth into, Aston Villa’s stars can be witnessed in action for their respective countries, dispersed across the globe.
A primary hope is each and every single one return to the West Midlands fit and healthy, but it would be an added bonus if they came back firing on all cylinders to help add to the six points Villa have amassed to date. One player that has particularly helped his club in recent weeks is Jhon Duran, and the striker was at it again on the international stage.
Colombia, continuing their World Cup qualification campaign this weekend, were on track for their first defeat at the hands of Peru. Manager Nestor Lorenzo introduced the 20-year-old with 18 minutes remaining and eight minutes from time it was his flick-on from a corner that teed up Liverpool’s Luis Diaz to nod in an equaliser.
Duran’s knack for goals as an impact substitute has so far aided Villa in both of their victories. At West Ham on opening day he reinstated the lead late on, then against Leicester City last time out it was his strike that doubled the lead in a match eventually won 2-1. However for the next match against Everton, Unai Emery may have to abandon the plan that has served him so well up to this point if Ollie Watkins is deemed not fit for action.
The talisman has not been firing like his Colombian counterpart this season, put down to a late return to pre-season after England’s Euro 2024 campaign whilst working himself back to full fitness. He was selected for Three Lions duty but was sent back to Bodymoor Heath before their first match against Ireland to undergo further assessment.
Also on the international stage, Youri Tielemans was on the scoresheet as Belgium beat Israel in the UEFA Nations League. His powerful strike restored his country’s lead in the second half, then they went on to win 3-1.
Finally, just days after suffering last-minute heartbreak with Scotland against Poland, John McGinn and his national team-mates were left devastated again. This time it was Portugal snatching victory against them, courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Scott McTominay had put Steve Clarke’s side ahead in the opening minutes, only to be pegged back in the second half. The score was locked at 1-1 when Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes engaged in a feisty battle with his Villa counterpart, and referee Maurizio Mariani ruled that the former had overstepped the mark.
Furious, Fernando picked up a booking for his protests. He then began to vent his frustrations with aggressive gestures towards a bemused-looking McGinn. ITV commentator James McFadden responded: “He’s not happy with John McGinn. You can just see here, I don’t know what he’s moaning about. He kicks into the back of John McGinn first, maybe not intentionally.”
Now the international break is due to wrap up in the coming days, by which point Villa’s players will return to resume the 2024/25 campaign. As mentioned, Everton are up next in the league, and then next week will see the club’s return to Champions League action with the trip to Swiss side Young Boys.
