DURAN BACK IN VILLA FOLD

Watkins also in running to start

- Neil Moxley

UNAI EMERY will make a late call on whether to throw Jhon Duran into battle against the team he was desperate to join.

Aston Villa's head coach is keeping his options open ahead of this evening's opener at West Ham as he ponders whether to start Ollie Watkins or his Colombian colleague.

England international Watkins joined Villa's pre-season training only two weeks ago after being given extended leave following his exploits at Euro 2024.

And while he was away, Duran, 20, upset the club's fanbase following a picture - shared on social media - of the forward making a crossed arms salute when he thought a deal to the Hammers was going through.