Former Aston Villa man Garry Thompson would take Adama Traore back at Villa Park

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Former Aston Villa striker Garry Thompson has been running the rule over the playing staff at his old club in comparison to West Midlands rivals Wolves ahead of the two sides’ EFL Cup meeting tonight.

As per BBC WM, Thompson would take former Villa star Adama Traore, who joined the Old Gold for £18 million (BBC) in 2018 back at Villa Park.

He said: “No deal [on taking Patricio over Heaton], I’d keep Heaton. Doherty [over Guilbert]. Probably Jonny [over Matt Targett]. Coady or Mings? That’s harsh. I’ve got to go Mings. I do like Coady, but I’ve got to go Mings. A couple of months ago maybe [Boly over Mings], but Mings is the man.

“I cannot go against our Tyrone. Early days, but I have got to go Nakamba [over Dendoncker]. McGinn [over Neves]. Grealish [over Moutinho, though he acknowledges they are different types of players]. With his form over the last months, I’d have Traore back. I think it’s got to be Jimenez [over Wesley].”

TBR’s View – Traore’s potential was always clear but Villa move came too early for him

Traore showed glimpses of what he can do during his time at Villa Park but struggled badly for consistency and end-product.

While he improved at Middlesbrough, he still had those problems intermittently at the Riverside Stadium, especially under Aitor Karanka, and they continued into his maiden season at Wolves.

But now he has found a position that suits him and a level of consistency to his game, his quality is coming to the fore and Villa will be aware of the threat he can cause tonight, back at the ground where his career in English football began.