'Why would Duran want to leave?'published at 16:36 30 January
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesOne of the things that makes Unai Emery such an interesting speaker on the game is the impression that, behind all the professional intensity his job requires, he is really in this for the same thing as you and me: for the thrills.
"The atmosphere was FAN-TAS-TIC," he said expressively in the press room last night, as his thoughts and emotions tumbled out.
It had been an especially vivid occasion, even by the standards of the past year or two. Fittingly, given Emery's urgings to his players and Villa's supporters to make the most of every moment of this Champions League campaign, their position was in question even after their game ended, extending the drama.
Nobody wanted to rush off anyway.
It was almost too much. To make sure he would always remember, Morgan Rogers – still a Championship player a year ago – cradled the match ball and his man-of-the-match trophy in one arm, while taking a selfie in front of the man-of-the-match sign. The photograph will be his keepsake of a year of exceptional progress.
The grand occasion was bookended by reminders of the colder realities of modern football. Some around the ground were put out before kick-off by reports of Arsenal's offer for Ollie Watkins - not that the Gunners made it given Watkins' obvious ability, but more that it should become known just before such a significant game.
Watkins did not play as if distracted. Yes, he might have scored far more than one, but his all-round centre-forward play was vital. Maybe Emery's comments on Arsenal's interest left open the possibility that he might move, but really he was only acknowledging that for every player, there is ultimately a deal too good to reject. But it would have to be a very big number.
He seemed resigned though, to Jhon Duran moving to Saudi Arabia: "The players have the objective, the ambition. Sometimes they are impassioned. If he is leaving, it is because he prefers to do another way in his career."
The reported numbers probably make it good business for Villa, although Emery seemed to find the player's motivation hard to compute: "I told you, I want him here. But what does he want?"
Emery did not speculate. But you could imagine Villa fans thinking of the delirious celebrations in the Holte End and wondering: "Jhon, don't you want THAT?"
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