Loan exit talk dismissed after Villa ace left out of pre-season tour squad

Aston Villa’s squad for the Premier League Summer Series was unveiled on Wednesday, but there was no Jhon Duran in the 26-man travelling party.

The 19-year-old arrived at Villa in January and made 12 appearances in the Premier League before missing our final game of the season with what was believed to be an injury issue.

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Although the Colombian international was seen arriving at Bodymoor Heath for the start of pre-season training last week, he didn’t appear in any of the main footage from training itself, thus leading to suggestions that he is perhaps still recovering from his setback.

While it had been hoped that he would make the trip to the USA for our tour to continue to settle and stake his claim for a key role for Unai Emery this season, he hasn’t made the squad, as seen below, and that in turn led to speculation itself while Duran also posted on Instagram while in Barcelona.

That hinted at a potential loan move to Spain this season, and ultimately that might not be the worst idea to give Duran a chance to play regularly, gain experience and develop his game.

However, according to ESPN and Colombian journalist Julian Capera, the plan is for Duran to report back for pre-season training with Villa on August 1, while his entourage have denied that there are any ongoing talks over a loan move to Espanyol or any other side.

It’s still unclear why Duran is in Barcelona other than perhaps to receive treatment on his injury, but Villa would surely prefer for him to have that at Bodymoor Heath instead, with Alex Moreno for example seen at the training ground for the past couple of weeks continuing his rehab work.

Emery may well provide clarification once they arrive in the USA, as there are also question marks over Tim Iroegbunam’s absence given he featured against Walsall on Saturday and was seemingly set to compete for a place in the squad this season.

In turn, if Duran is to remain behind ahead of rejoining the group on August 1, which could mean he’s available to face Lazio and Valencia on our return from across the pond, time will tell if he’s able to force his way into Emery’s plans or if ultimately a loan elsewhere emerges as the most sensible outcome in the end.

The youngster offers us a different dynamic in the final third with his physicality and ability to play as a target man, but with Cameron Archer also pushing for a bigger role, Emery has decisions to make up front as we may also strengthen in that department in this window too.