Jhon Duran has been told to focus on football - and shelve any transfer talk.
Villa’s Colombian striker, who was the subject of an official bid by West Ham this week, is now at the centre of interest from the Middle East. Saudi pro club Al-Nassr is reportedly preparing an offer for the exciting 21-year-old.
It will take an extraordinary fee to ensure the striker’s release with Villa already ruling out a move for him during this transfer window. However, the Eastenders' interest has added extra spice to this fixture, although the Birmingham club is uninterested in discussing the subject.
But money talks, and when quizzed about Duran’s future, Villa boss Unai Emery told all of his players to concentrate on the Hammers. Asked about the effect speculation was having, Emery said: “It is not only with Jhon Duran but other players as well.
"I am focusing a lot on how we are thinking and planning each match and every player is focusing on it. There can be some rumours to leave from here or come here from other teams. Every team is in the same situation.
"My focus and with the players we have is on the match against West Ham and being professional, mature, responsible and serious. And then, of course, maybe in a few days, some players can leave as well for other teams.
"But the group we have here now has to be professional and responsible and play, focusing on each match. We don't know exactly until the last day of the transfer window how many players we can change in this squad - but on Sunday, we are here with the players we have and 100% focused on the match.”
Emery was upset with the response of Duran and fellow strike-partner Ollie Watkins during the 1-0 defeat on Tuesday night in Monaco. He said he needed to find a solution and admitted he had been trying to find one, insisting that they CAN play together.
He said: “We have been working with both strikers for two years. We’ve done this - sometimes in practice, sometimes playing matches, sometimes through video. We’re still in that process. We have lost a month because Jhon was out for three matches and sick.
“Tuesday was the first match to play both. It didn’t work as I wanted, but I still have the same ideas. We are trying to identify why. And trying to get information on it.
“The first view I had on it. I didn’t like how we played in Monaco. But the solution isn’t with one or two players. It’s with the 25 we have.
"We have to find our best structure tactically and mentally. Sometimes, we could be playing with two left-backs, with Lucas Digne or Ian Maatsen. Or two right-backs with Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash.
“All over the pitch, we’re trying to mix up the players. Even the players with the same qualities, we will do it. We can play with two strikers like Watkins and Duran.”