Glenn Hoddle reacts to Bertrand Traore’s display in Aston Villa win

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Glenn Hoddle has told BT Sport (broadcast on 20/12; 21:02) that Bertrand Traore was outstanding during Aston Villa’s emphatic victory over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Dean Smith’s side got back to winning ways at the Hawthorns. Ultimately, Villa won 3-0. And they did have a man advantage for much of the game after Jake Livermore’s red card.

But it was only in the 84th minute that Villa killed the game off. And it was Traore who did the damage with a superb finish for his first league goal since his summer switch.

The goal came after the 25-year-old had provided the assist for the opener with a delicious cross to the back post. And as the game edged towards its conclusion, Hoddle suggested that he had been hugely impressed by the attacking midfielder’s display.

“I think everything Traore’s done tonight has been excellent,” he told BT Sport. “I don’t think he’s made any mistakes at all.

“He’s worked hard for his team. He’s got back when he needed to be. With the ball, he’s been outstanding – as have quite a few players for Villa.”

Traore – who earns £78,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – has looked as though he has found his feet in recent weeks. He had taken a little time to get going following his move to Villa Park.

Villa need a number of their best players to step up if they are going to sustain their push for a high finish in the Premier League table.

Of course, Jack Grealish rarely fails to steal the show. But the likes of Emi Martinez, Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins are amongst those who have been sensational throughout the campaign.

And Traore’s recent displays suggest that he is now ready to join that group of players.