Prize signing Traore proves his weight in goal as Villa fire
BERTRAND TRAORE was tipped to shine for Aston Villa after the £ 17million signing marked his debut with a superb goal.
The former Chelsea and Lyon striker latched on to a 14th- minute long ball from Jacob Ramsey and netted with a perfectly cushioned volley back across goal from a difficult angle.
By then Villa were already ahead in what proved a one- sided third- round contest and Dean Smith’s decision to make 11 changes was fully vindicated.
Villa assistant John Terry said: “I was able to give Bertrand a great character reference from knowing him at Chelsea.
“He was really hungry to do well when he was there. And, although he left the Premier League, it was always his intention to come back and prove himself at top level.
“It was important for him to get off to a good start and he did really well, particularly considering he hadn’t played for a while.”
Traore’s strike built on Anwar El Ghazi’s opening goal three minutes earlier, a close- range shot after brilliant work from Keinan Davis had set up the chance.
Ollie Watkins put the outcome beyond doubt on 73 minutes, tapping home a Mahmoud Trezeguet cross just moments after both had been introduced as substitutes.
And the margin of victory would have been greater but for a string of fine saves from City second- string goalkeeper Max O’Leary.
Villa now entertain Stoke City in round four, while City head coach Dean Holden had to reflect on a first defeat since succeeding Lee Johnson.
Holden said: “There were some positives. Max O’Leary was brilliant in goal and we went toe- to- toe with a Premier League team after giving ourselves a mountain to climb. “Now we have to focus fully on our next Championship game against Sheffield Wednesday and maintain our good start in the League.”
Holden handed a first start to Chris Brunt, the former midfielder with Villa’s Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion, as one of eight changes.
His side should have pulled a goal back on the half- hour, but Famara Diedhiou mistimed his header from six yards after a Niclas Eliasson cross.
City had other chances and a penalty claim but Villa were sharper and only O’Leary’s brilliance kept the score down.
BRISTOL CITY ( 3- 4- 3): O’Leary 9; Vyner 6, Moore 5, Rowe 6; Sessignon 6, Nagy 6, Brunt 6 ( Bakinson 66, 6), Palmer 6 ( Massengo 84), Eliasson 6; Diedhiou 5 ( Martin 84), Semenyo 6.
ASTON VILLA ( 4- 4- 2): Steer 7; Guilbert 7, Elmohamady 7, Hause 7, Taylor 7; Lansbury 7 ( Hourihane 78), Nakamba 7, Ramsey 7, El Ghazi 9; Davis 8 ( Watkins 70, 8), Traore 8 ( Trezeguet 70, 7). Goals: El Ghazi 11, Traore 14, Watkins 73.