Aston Villa poised for striker reunion after surprise Uefa decision

Duran, who left Villa 12 months ago, was expected to miss the Europa League tie after being hit with a two-match suspension for violent conduct.

But just days before the match it has now emerged the 22-year-old is free to play, after Uefa confirmed Fenerbahce’s appeal for the ban to be reduced from two matches to one had been successful.

Duran was sent-off for sticking his head into that of Ferencvaros defender Toon Raemaekers during a league phase match on November 27, with Uefa’s disciplinary board hitting him with a ban which had already seen him miss last month’s match against Brann.

But despite no official word from the Turkish club, it has now been confirmed he can face Villa.

Duran scored 18 goals in 78 appearances during two years with the Premier League club, including the winner against Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League.

The Colombia international moved to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in a deal which could eventually be worth more than £70million last January, before moving to Fenerbahce on a season-long loan last January.

Duran is not the only familiar face in the Turkish club’s line-up with Marco Asensio, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa, also preparing to face Emery’s men.

Villa, who sit third in the Europa League table with five wins from six matches, head to Turkey knowing a win would guarantee them a top-eight finish and progression straight through to the last-16 of the competition.