Bertrand Traore destined for Aston Villa exit despite 83% match-winning Burkina Faso display
A long list of Premier League clubs have been hampered by the Africa Cup of Nations, with several top-flight stars currently away on international duty, with Aston Villa affected.
Winger Bertrand Traore is away representing Burkina Faso at the famous tournament this month, but given his lack of game time at club level in recent months, his absence isn’t exactly a massive blow to Unai Emery.
In fact, the manager has already expressed that Traore can leave Villa Park this month, as per The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell (12 January).
And that is an attitude that is unlikely to change anytime soon, despite the player’s heroics for his country on Tuesday (16 January).
The attacker wasn’t even handed a starting role for the opening group match against Mauritania, having been forced to settle for a spot on the bench.
But it was the Aston Villa man who would have the last laugh, entering the match in the 73rd minute before netting the only goal of the game, a 96th-minute penalty.
Traore didn’t just impress with his nerves in the dying seconds, with the winger also completing 83% of his passes and having three shots on target, more than any other player, despite playing just 17 minutes [Sofascore].
He was, however, unsuccessful with both of his cross attempts, but he and his Burkina Faso teammates won’t be too worried about that statistic given the final outcome.
Traore’s attacking display would have been greatly appreciated by Emery, but such performances have been few and far between during the player’s time at Aston Villa.
From his 62 appearances for the club, the 28-year-old has registered 10 goals and eight assists, with his overall displays not enough to impress the man in the dugout.
It’s time to go.
In other Aston Villa news, one Villa man delivered a timely 86% cameo against Everton recently, but he still has room to improve.
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