By Gabriel Agbonlahor

12th Sep, 2023 | 4:51pm

Aston Villa expert issues Jhon Duran verdict as January signing lined up - 'if we're being serious'

Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Aston Villa needed to sign another striker in the summer and backed his old side to sign a new forward in January.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested Jhon Duran is a “talent” – but not capable of filling the shoes of main goalscorer Ollie Watkins.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (12 September) that Unai Emery and his Aston Villa recruitment staff are laying the groundwork for a marquee striker signing in January.

It is believed the summer sales of Cameron Archer, Keinan Davis and Jaden Philogene have freed up much-needed funds.

Watkins has started all four of Villa’s Premier League games this season but is yet to find the net in the top flight in the 2023-24 campaign.

He was the club’s top scorer with 16 strikes last season and missed just one game through illness in the entire 2022-23 season.

Youngster Duran could be called into action more this term following his January arrival with Aston Villa set to take part in the Europa Conference League.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Duran is a talent, he’s a talented striker.

“But if we’re being serious, we could’ve done with another striker. But it wasn’t meant to be.

“I’m sure Unai Emery would have tried. He tried to get Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao and Mousa Dembele didn’t seem right.

“We’ll wait until January to get someone else in, but Watkins’ injury record has been very good so far – so hopefully he can stay fit.”

In other news, Aston Villa trump Newcastle after agreeing record deal.