Jhon Durán: The Reluctant Super-Sub Who Keeps Delivering for Aston Villa
Jhon Durán was furious. It was October, and just a minute after scoring Aston Villa’s second goal against Bologna in the Champions League with a clinical first-time finish, he found himself walking toward the bench. Substituted. The TV cameras caught every second of his frustration as he kicked a chair and threw objects around, his anger boiling over for all to see.
And yet, despite his frustrations, Durán is proving to be one of the most lethal strikers in Europe. With 10 goals in 23 games this season, including five in the Premier League, his impact is undeniable. But here’s the catch: his only four starts this season have come against Wycombe Wanderers and Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup, Southampton in the Premier League, and Bologna in the Champions League. For a player of his caliber, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Fast forward to Tuesday, and Durán was at it again. Coming off the bench in the second half against RB Leipzig, he scored a stunning long-range goal to help Villa secure a dramatic 3-2 victory. It was another reminder of his ability to change games in an instant, even if he’s not in the starting XI.
The Frustration of the Bench
Durán’s frustration isn’t new. Just five days before his Bologna outburst, he was visibly exasperated during a match against Fulham. Starting on the bench, he was subbed in with Villa leading 3-1. For the next 20 minutes, he hovered on the shoulders of Fulham’s high line, waiting for a chance to break through. But the ball rarely came his way. His teammates opted for a more conservative approach, knocking the ball around midfield instead of feeding their hungry striker. Time after time, Durán threw his arms up in frustration, desperate for the opportunity to deliver the final blow.
6 – Jhon Durán has scored six goals after coming on as a substitute in all competitions for Aston Villa this season – the most by any player for clubs in Europe's big-five leagues in 2024-25. Super. pic.twitter.com/hPseCcju8A
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 10, 2024
Durán’s six goals as a substitute this season are the most by any player in Europe’s top five leagues. But being labeled a “super-sub” is a double-edged sword. It’s a role that has been occupied by the likes of Jermain Defoe, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Olivier Giroud. While the term acknowledges a player’s ability to change games, it also implies they’re not good enough to start. And for a player like Durán, that’s a tough label to accept.
Welcome to the World of the Super-Sub
The concept of the super-sub isn’t new. Former Liverpool striker David Fairclough even wrote a book about it, aptly titled “Supersub.” Fairclough made 154 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 55 goals, 18 of which came as a substitute. But he never embraced the role. “It did not help my career that I came off the bench and scored so often,” he admitted in 2001.
Adam Le Fondre, another player who knows the super-sub role all too well, can sympathize with Durán. Le Fondre holds the record for the most goals off the bench in a single Premier League season, scoring eight for Reading in 2012-13. “You want to start,” Le Fondre told ESPN. “You want to score goals, you want to win. No one grows up dreaming of being on the bench.”
Changing the Narrative
In today’s game, managers are trying to reframe the role of substitutes. Terms like “finishers” and “impactors” are being used to emphasize the importance of players coming off the bench. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and former England rugby coach Eddie Jones have both adopted this approach, aiming to give substitutes a sense of purpose and identity.
For Durán, the challenge is clear: stay patient, keep delivering, and force manager Unai Emery’s hand. Emery has praised Durán’s talent but has also emphasized the importance of maturity and respect. “Sometimes [Durán] has been impatient, and I need to speak to him as a person and connect to him as a person,” Emery said after a recent match. “His talent is there, and he can help us.”
What’s Next for Durán?
With Aston Villa currently sitting in 6th place in the Premier League and 9th in the Champions League, the stakes are high. Over the next few weeks, Durán will have opportunities to prove himself against Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, and Newcastle. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, one thing is certain: Durán will be ready.
“I am ready to start wherever I am,” Durán said. And with his track record, it’s hard to argue against him.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
