Aston Villa enjoyed a 2-1 win over Stade Rennais on Saturday evening, but Bertrand Traore didn’t feature. Ashley Preece of Birmingham Live says the 26-year-old has been ‘banished’ from the first-team, so he’ll surely have to leave this summer.
Traore played 45 minutes in Villa’s 4-0 win over Walsall on July 9 but didn’t feature in their 1-0 win over Leeds United on July 17. He played 45 minutes in the 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on July 20 but was left out of their 2-2 draw with Manchester United on July 23, so it’s clear he’s unwanted.
Steven Gerrard believes Traore is surplus to requirements this season, so he’s told him to train with the reserves. By comparison, Leon Bailey has flourished in pre-season and looks a shoo-in to start against Bournemouth on Saturday, August 6.
Traore could now be made available for sale, but it remains to be seen who will make a move. The 26-year-old failed to score or make an assist in 10 appearances last season, so his stock won’t be high. Villa paid £16.5m to sign Traore from Olympique Lyonnais in 2020 and agreed a salary worth £4m-a-year, so will there be a lot of interest?
In other news, Gabriel Agbonlahor says Leon Bailey ‘could play’ makeshift role
