Bertrand Traore says he’s out to repay the faith shown in him by Unai Emery. The Burkinabe was Aston Villa’s unlikely hero in midweek after bending home a stunning 87th-minute winner at Leicester.
Bertrand Traore said: “Some things I don’t control like injuries and other things. Under the previous manager I was pulled out of the first team squad and went training for two weeks with the under-23s before I went out on loan. It was really frustrating for me. But it is part of our job and part of football. This is behind me now and I am just focused now on what I have to do on the pitch to try to help the team and give love to the fans to keep on working on the pitch, this is what a football player can do.”
As for Emery, the Basque was quick to recall Traore in January having been an admirer of the winger throughout his managerial career. Villa were also struggling to attract signings in the winter market and Traore was the perfect solution to come in and add depth to Villa’s squad.
Bertrand Traore said: “I had a conversation with the manager from ages ago as I played against him a lot of times. He believed in me and I think he is on my side and I want to give back so he doesn’t believe in me for nothing. I am also trying to give back to the team and the fans who have supported me. It feels good for me because I travelled a lot the last two seasons with a lot of injuries and had some trouble with the previous manager. The new manager gave me a new chance. I came back from my loan injured and had to work hard to get fit and then the team was doing well. I have to work hard to get back in the team but I think I am in a good way and will keep on working hard. I will try to help as much as possible when I get my chance.”
Elsewhere, Traore spoke of the devastation and heartbreak he suffered following the loss of his friend and former Chelsea and Vitesse Arnhem teammate, Christian Atsu. The Ghanaian, 31, died during the earthquakes in Turkey at the beginning of February.
Bertrand Traore said: “I was really sad with the passing of Christian Atsu. I was really close with him. We played together in Vitesse and Chelsea. I even saw him in November when we went to play against his team. We talked for like 30 minutes after the game. It was devastating news for me and really hard times. We tried to speak with his close friend to get some news but in the end he wasn’t alive anymore. It is really hard and difficult for his family and for his friends. I believe in God and the only thing I can do is pray for him. I hope he will rest in peace and God will protect his family and children. I will always have him in my heart and I will pray for him.”
