Bertrand Traore - Returned

[Risso]

I guess at worst it is at least an alternative to Bailey, with pretty much the same strengths and weaknesses. The thing I liked most about Bert was his first touch (in the attacking half). No matter where from, or how hard it was hit, he could receive the ball like he had velcro attached to his boot. If nothing else, get him to spend an hour a day working with Watkins on doing that.

[eamonn]

Does anyone watch enough Turkish football to give a review on how he was doing this season before his injury?

[paul_e]

He was/is far too good to be binned off to Turkey on loan.

I don't agree with that I'm afraid.

Ultimately you end up where you deserve, I am not optimistic on his return but hope he proves me wrong!

He ended up in Turkey because Gerrard didn't want him but a goal or assist roughly 1 game in 3 is a decent return. Get 4-5 players with those sort of figures over a season and you're in the mix for Europe.

I know there's more to the game than raw stats but people are using raw stats to criticise selling Ings so it's only fair that they be the measure of the guy who has effectively replaced him in the squad.

[kippaxvilla2]

His goal against Smethwick.  Enough said.

[astonvilla82]

He was/is far too good to be binned off to Turkey on loan.

I don't agree with that I'm afraid.

Ultimately you end up where you deserve, I am not optimistic on his return but hope he proves me wrong!

He ended up in Turkey because Gerrard didn't want him but a goal or assist roughly 1 game in 3 is a decent return. Get 4-5 players with those sort of figures over a season and you're in the mix for Europe.

I know there's more to the game than raw stats but people are using raw stats to criticise selling Ings so it's only fair that they be the measure of the guy who has effectively replaced him in the squad.

wouldn't trust Gerrard to run a bath, never mind managed players

[Risso]

One of the problems with Traore is that he seems to spend a lot of time injured. He did well in his first season for Smith, but then the start of the next, even Dean didn't really trust him and mainly used him as a late sub. I don't think he's the sort of player when you need someone to put a bit of a shift in when things aren't going well.

[Smithy]

I think he might do okay in the "second centre-forward" position that Bailey currently occupies.  Not in the side as a proper wide midfielder, so unlikely to be doing too much in the defensive third (where he can be a liability), and would have a little bit of freedom to drift wide and create a bit of havoc.  He's also technically excellent, which Emery and his coaching staff seem to value.  He doesn't have the pace of Bailey, but it's a useful option to have on the bench, and as close to like-for-like as we have for that second-striker position.

[paul_e]

His goal against Smethwick.  Enough said.

I loved that goal but the Bristol City one was better and the best thing he's done at the club (and very possibly the best thing anyone has done since we got promoted) was the touch to turn De Bruyne inside out, a thing of pure beauty.

[LeeB]

His goal against Smethwick.  Enough said.

I loved that goal but the Bristol City one was better and the best thing he's done at the club (and very possibly the best thing anyone has done since we got promoted) was the touch to turn De Bruyne inside out, a thing of pure beauty.

There was another one where he left an Everton player looking like he'd just ran full pelt into floor covered with empty banana skins

[KevinGage]

Magic in his feet but sawdust for a brain (occasionally).  You accept that from a winger or mercurial types in general though.

The world is a better place with Bert in a Villa shirt.

[paul_e]

His goal against Smethwick.  Enough said.

I loved that goal but the Bristol City one was better and the best thing he's done at the club (and very possibly the best thing anyone has done since we got promoted) was the touch to turn De Bruyne inside out, a thing of pure beauty.

There was another one where he left an Everton player looking like he'd just ran full pelt into floor covered with empty banana skins

Allan - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kUUlsy_EhLk

De Bruyne - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/u0y_0W3hCps

Bristol City -

West Brom - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LVuMtOcMk0c

I know he doesn't work hard enough for some, his defensive comtribution is frightening and he's inconsistent but if this sort of stuff doesn't raise a smile from every Villa fan then they're dead inside.

I think there was another great goal off the bar but I can't remember who it was against.

[LeeB]

That's the one Paul, good work

[LeeB]

I wonder if he's had his front room decorated while he's been away?

[kippaxvilla2]

His goal against Smethwick.  Enough said.

I loved that goal but the Bristol City one was better and the best thing he's done at the club (and very possibly the best thing anyone has done since we got promoted) was the touch to turn De Bruyne inside out, a thing of pure beauty.

There was another one where he left an Everton player looking like he'd just ran full pelt into floor covered with empty banana skins

Allan - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kUUlsy_EhLk

De Bruyne - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/u0y_0W3hCps

Bristol City -

West Brom - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LVuMtOcMk0c

I know he doesn't work hard enough for some, his defensive comtribution is frightening and he's inconsistent but if this sort of stuff doesn't raise a smile from every Villa fan then they're dead inside.

I think there was another great goal off the bar but I can't remember who it was against.

Newcastle?

[Risso]

I think he might do okay in the "second centre-forward" position that Bailey currently occupies.  Not in the side as a proper wide midfielder, so unlikely to be doing too much in the defensive third (where he can be a liability), and would have a little bit of freedom to drift wide and create a bit of havoc.  He's also technically excellent, which Emery and his coaching staff seem to value.  He doesn't have the pace of Bailey, but it's a useful option to have on the bench, and as close to like-for-like as we have for that second-striker position.

Bailey is quicker and has a harder shot when in space, but either can't or has lost the confidence to take defenders on.
Traore isn't as quick (but isn't slow) and is more about subtle dinks into the goal.