Adama Traore finally showing Aston Villa what they're missing

By Mathew Nash

Wolverhampton Wanderers are looking like being the pick of the bunch from the promoted teams this season in the Premier League. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have impressed many with their displays and fans are even hopeful of a European push.

One of the key reasons for their success has been Adama Traore. Signed for £18 million from Middlesbrough this summer, the Spanish talent has been in great form at Molineux.

His performance in the Southampton game at the weekend was perhaps his best in a Wolves shirt so far.

He is finally showing a maturity and level of performance first expected of him when Aston Villa lured him to England back in August 2015 in a £7 million deal.

His time at Villa Park was largely forgettable. Aston Villa were going through turmoil at the time and he found himself sidelined with injury or by selection for much of his time at the club.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: New signing Adama Traore of Aston Villa poses for a picture at the club’s training ground at Bodymoor Heath on August 12, 2015 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

In the end, he was turfed out. He headed to Middlesbrough with Albert Adomah coming in the other direction.

The result has not been ideal for Aston Villa. Whilst they did make a good fee in the sell-on clause included in Traore’s Boro switch, they would surely rather have the player.

The idea was an experienced Adomah would be better suited to helping Aston Villa to promotion. That has not been the case and now Adomah looks out of favour at Aston Villa whilst Traore shines in the Premier League.

Aston Villa’s decision to remove Traore could have been seen as justified. Waiting for him to come good in their mad rush to win promotion may have proved costly. However, giving him the chance to shine might have given them the edge they eventually lacked.

Now, they can just watch on and wonder what might have been, as Traore thrives up the M6.