Jhon Duran Faces Former Club As Fenerbahce Host Aston Villa In Europa League Showdown

Tonight’s UEFA Europa League clash between Fenerbahce and Aston Villa at Istanbul’s Chobani Stadium is more than just a group-stage fixture—it’s a reunion, a test of European pedigree, and a story of dramatic footballing journeys. As the Turkish giants prepare for their 297th European match, all eyes are on Jhon Duran, the 22-year-old Colombian striker whose career has twisted and turned in ways few could have predicted over the past year.

Less than a year ago, Duran was donning Aston Villa’s claret and blue, battling for a regular spot in Unai Emery’s side and making headlines for both his spectacular goals and his combustible temperament. Fast forward to January 2026, and he’s set to face his former club as a Fenerbahce player, having already played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, claimed his first piece of silverware in Turkey, and endured a rollercoaster of form, fitness, and controversy.

For Fenerbahce, tonight’s encounter marks a significant European milestone. The Istanbul club has amassed 117 wins, 64 draws, and 115 defeats from their previous 296 continental outings, scoring 406 goals and conceding 417. Their Europa League record is equally impressive, with 49 wins and 145 goals from 100 appearances in the competition. These numbers speak to Fenerbahce’s enduring status as one of Europe’s most seasoned competitors outside the Champions League elite.

But the narrative that has fans and pundits buzzing is Duran’s return to the European spotlight against the very club that sold him for a hefty £65 million fee last year. His journey since then has been anything but smooth. After a promising start at Al-Nassr, where he netted four goals in his first two league matches, Duran’s output dried up, scoring in only three of his next eleven appearances. The allure of playing with Ronaldo and a lucrative contract couldn’t keep him in Saudi Arabia long, and by the summer, he was on his way to Istanbul—on loan at Fenerbahce, targeted by Jose Mourinho but now playing under Domenico Tedesco.

At Fenerbahce, Duran has made 19 appearances this season, scoring five goals. While not a poor return, it’s a far cry from the explosive start he enjoyed at Villa, where he bagged seven Premier League goals in half a season. Injuries have played a significant part in his stop-start campaign. After just two league outings for Fenerbahce, he missed eight consecutive Super Lig matches, fueling speculation in the Turkish media about his fitness. Manager Domenico Tedesco was quick to clarify: “Jhon Duran has the motivation to play. Some injuries will last six weeks but not in his case. He had pain problems in his past clubs. Sometimes players play with pain but there comes a point when they can't play anymore. Many experts came together and we found the source of the problem. Jhon Duran wants to return but he needs time. I don’t force the player. I don’t do it because of the risk and the pain.”

Duran’s competitive fire hasn’t always endeared him to his coaches. In December, after Fenerbahce’s 4–0 win over Konyaspor, Duran reportedly ignored Tedesco’s handshake request following his substitution. The manager downplayed the incident, saying, “Jhon Duran, like everyone else, doesn’t want to be taken off the pitch… Today’s situation isn’t special. It’s already resolved. I take it as normal. South Americans get emotional. I’m Italian. We get emotional too. Every player wants to play. But as a coach, I have to make decisions.”

His time at Villa was no less dramatic. Perhaps the defining moment of his English stint came on Boxing Day 2024, when Duran received a straight red card in the 32nd minute against Newcastle United. The decision set off chaos on the pitch and in the tunnel, with staff from both sides ejected and the Football Association ultimately denying Villa’s appeal against his three-match ban. At the time, Duran was in red-hot form, having scored in his previous three matches. The suspension not only curtailed his momentum but also influenced Villa’s transfer decisions, expediting his move to Al-Nassr for €77 million. Emery later reflected on the incident, maintaining his support for Duran’s development but acknowledging the challenges of managing such a mercurial talent.

After his suspension, Duran’s role at Villa diminished, and by the end of the January window, he was gone. If not for that red card, some at Villa Park wonder if the Colombian’s story might have been different. As one observer put it, “The ramifications of that single decision could have shaped the trajectories of both Duran’s and Aston Villa’s seasons.”

Since arriving in Turkey, Duran’s adaptation has been hampered by injuries and the pressure of a high salary, but his talent remains undeniable. Fenerbahce’s Brazilian star Anderson Talisca, who has been in scintillating form with 17 goals in 28 appearances this season, offered praise for his teammate: “I’m very happy to play with both [Duran and Asensio]. As a team, as a club, and as fans, I’m happy to have them on our team. They are both good footballers and good people. We talk a lot. They help our team a lot. I actually think the decisive factor is the team’s performance. After that come individual performances. Of course, you need to score goals to win, but I think the team is the real deciding factor.”

Tonight’s match will be a stern test for Fenerbahce, who are unbeaten at home in European competition this season, having dispatched Feyenoord, Nice, and Stuttgart, and held Benfica and Ferencvaros to draws. The club sits 12th in the Europa League group phase with 11 points from six matches, while Villa arrive in Istanbul in formidable form, boasting five wins from six and 15 points—good enough for a top-three spot in the group.

Fenerbahce will be without left-backs Archie Brown and Levent Mercan due to injury, but Edson Alvarez returns to the squad, and Youssef En-Nesyri is available after his Africa Cup of Nations stint. New signings Anthony Musaba, Matteo Guendouzi, and goalkeeper Mert Gunok are not registered for this stage. Duran, whose European campaign was interrupted by a suspension for an alleged headbutt—later reduced on appeal—will be eligible to face his old club, adding another twist to this already intriguing narrative.

As the teams prepare to take the field under the lights of Chobani Stadium, with Portuguese referee Luis Godinho officiating, the stakes are clear. For Fenerbahce, it’s a chance to extend their European legacy. For Aston Villa, it’s about maintaining their impressive run. For Jhon Duran, it’s a shot at redemption and a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football. The whistle’s about to blow, and the story is far from over.