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Bertrand Traore had 'ample opportunity' to prove worth to Aston Villa, summer exit now expected - BBC pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton believes Bertrand Traore had ample opportunity to prove himself at Aston Villa and is now expected to be shown the door this summer.
Since returning to Villa Park in the January transfer window, the attacker’s impact was limited to a string of brief cameo appearances and two Premier League starts that lasted just 62 minutes and 45 minutes a piece.
The Burkina Faso international did chip in with the crucial match-winner in the 2-1 win against Leicester City and scored days later in the victory over Nottingham Forest, but after that, his impact was limited.
In the last eight games of the season, in which Villa’s race for European football reached its climax, Traore amassed a mere 108 minutes of action, remaining an unused substitute on four occasions.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Hutton tipped the £17million winger to be one of the changes Unai Emery makes as he prepares his squad for the addition of the Europa Conference League next season.
When asked whether Traore could be one of the faces leaving the club in the upcoming transfer window, he said: “Yes, possibly.
“He was out on loan, but the manager needed reinforcements and he did come in and score a couple of goals at vital points of the season, so he did play his part.
“He is a player who has had ample opportunity to prove himself and the manager will now look to make changes, and that is one.”
Emery is expected to revamp his first-team squad this summer after qualifying for Europe, with wide attack a major area for concern.
As it stands, Traore, Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia are the only options at Villa’s disposal to partner Ollie Watkins in attack.
In other Aston Villa news, the future of this loanee hangs in the balance as contract talks await.