TRAORE INTRODUCES HIMSELF WITH GOAL
BERTRAND TRAORE netted a superb debut goal as Aston Villa breezed into the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Dean Smith’s £ 17m signing from Lyon latched on to a 14th- minute long ball from Jacob Ramsey and netted with a cushioned volley.
Villa assistant boss John Terry said: “I gave Bertrand a great character reference from knowing him at Chelsea.
“He has the pace and ability to do really well for us.
“It was important for him to get off to a good start and he did that.”
Traore’s goal built on Anwar El Ghazi’s opening goal three minutes earlier after brilliant work from Keinan Davis. Ollie
Watkins, another new boy, put the outcome beyond doubt on 73 minutes.
The former Brentford man tapped home a Trezeguet cross just moments after both had come on as subs.
And the margin of victory would have been greater but for a string of fine saves from City keeper Max O’leary.
Villa now entertain Stoke in round four while City boss Dean Holden had to reflect on a first defeat since replacing Lee Johnson.
He said: “There were some positives. Max O’leary was brilliant in goal and we went toe- to- toe with a Premier League team.”
Smith made 11 changes from the team which beat Sheffield United on Monday night but you wouldn’t have known it as Villa took control early.
O’leary made a brilliant double save to deny Davis and El Ghazi before the latter broke the deadlock.
After Traore had made it two Villa were convinced they should have had a penalty in the 35th minute.
Ramsey went down apparently with the goal at his mercy but got nothing from referee James Linington.
The second period began with El Ghazi twice shooting narrowly over. Traore’s big night ended when he was replaced by Trezeguet 20 minutes from time in a double change that saw Watkins sent on for Davis.
City appealed for a spot- kick when a Kasey Palmer shot was charged down but seconds later Watkins struck to confirm the visitors’ superiority with his second goal in three games.
BRISTOL CITY ( 3- 5- 2): O’LEARY 9; Vyner 6, Moore 5, Rowe 6; Sessegnon 6, Nagy 6, Brunt 6 ( Bakinson 66, 6), Palmer 6 ( Massengo 84), Eliasson 6; Diedhiou 5 ( Martin 84), Semenyo 6.
Subs: Bentley, Mawson, Paterson, Wells.
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). Subs: Kalinic, Mings, Mcginn, Targett.
REFEREE: James Linington 8.