Aston Villa player Jhon Duran found himself in a car accident just hours before the team’s crucial match in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Lille.
The Colombia international was spotted next to his damaged BMW X6 in Birmingham, seemingly engrossed in his phone.
Images circulated on social media depicted Durán wearing a cap and a gold chain, with a jumper tied around his Villa training shorts, as he stood beside his gray £73,000 car, which bore evident signs of damage.
Jhon Duran’s Bonnet Crumpled Following Car Accident
The bonnet of Durán’s luxury SUV was crumpled, with the front grill missing a headlight, and fluids leaking from the undercarriage.
Witnesses reported that the collision occurred around 11:20 AM on the Holloway Head B4127, involving Durán’s vehicle and a van.
Despite the severity of the accident, Durán ensured the safety of everyone involved and remained at the scene until authorities arrived.
Although the incident caused significant delays in the City Centre, fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
While the timing of the accident was less than ideal, occurring just before a crucial match, spectators hoped Durán would still make it to Villa Park in time.
Anyway, he still managed to get 8 minutes of regular time under his belt, coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Ollie Watkins, with Aston Villa coming out victorious 2:1 at their home turf.
Goals from Watkins and John McGinn put the Villa Park Side in a comfortable position, before Bafode Diakite halved the deficit for Lille in the dying embers of the affair.
Meanwhile, West Midlands Police confirmed their response to the collision, stating that no injuries were reported.
“We were called to Holloway Head, Birmingham at around 11.20 am today (April 11) to reports of a collision involving a car and a van.
“No injuries were reported.”
Despite the ordeal, Durán, aged 20, is expected to be available for selection in the Premier League against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon but he is likely to start from the bench.
When did Jhon Duran join Aston Villa?
Since joining Aston Villa for a reported £15 million in January 2023, the Colombian striker has predominantly served as a substitute.
However, with star striker Olly Watkins still recovering from injury, Durán was tipped to potentially feature in the home leg against Lille.
Durán has showcased glimpses of his talent on the pitch, scoring his debut Premier League goal in a 4-0 victory against Everton last August, followed by his first European goal against Hibernian.
Despite limited playing time at Aston Villa, Durán’s performances have attracted interest from clubs like Chelsea and West Ham.
Durán’s journey to professional football began in Colombia, where he made his senior debut for Envigado at just 15 years old, becoming one of the youngest scorers in Colombian top-flight history shortly after.
Under the guidance of his former coach, Durán honed his skills, focusing on understanding the penalty area, utilizing his body effectively, and positioning himself for scoring opportunities.
Despite facing challenges and limited opportunities at Aston Villa, Jhon Durán remains one of South America’s most promising young strikers.
With his potential still intact, prospective suitors continue to monitor his progress, eager to secure his talents for the future.
