Duran vs Haaland: How Villa striker is competing with Man City marksman

Jhon Duran scored Aston Villa’s game-clinching goal in their Premier League opening fixture against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday, thus improving his goalscoring ratio. 

The Colombian forward, linked with a move away from the club all summer, latched onto Jacob Ramsey's cushioned pass to find the back of the net with 11 minutes of the 90 to put Unai Emery's men back in front after Lucas Paqueta had cancelled out Amadou Onana's fourth-minute header. 

The victory means last season’s fourth-placed side begin this campaign with triumph, banishing memories of last season's underwhelming conclusion to 2023-24 and dispiriting pre-season. 

It also continued Duran’s impressive scoring rate in the Premier League, which has edged closer to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. 

According to Opta, Duran’s six league goals have come from just 616 minutes, averaging one every 103 minutes, which is better than every player to have scored five goals or more except Haaland, who averages a goal every 85 minutes. 

It remains to be seen if Duran stays at Villa Park despite transfer rumours, with Emery’s men competing in this season’s Champions League and competing to retain their top-four standing. 

Aston Villa host Arsenal at Villa Park in their next league match on August 24.