Gerrard should consider Traore v Norwich

Aston Villa welcome Norwich City to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon and are in desperate need of a win. The hosts are coming off the back of four defeats and a draw from their last five Premier League games, but it’s their lack of goals that may worry Steven Gerrard.

Villa have been shutout in three of their last five league outings, netting just two goals in that time. It’s good timing that Gerrard can welcome back Bertrand Traore from injury, and the 27-year-old might be worth giving the nod to.

Leon Bailey has struggled to impress since being given more opportunities in recent weeks – 0 goals, 0 assists and 2 chances created in last four league appearances – so the 5ft 8in player might be dropped for Saturday’s fixture. Traore hasn’t played a lot in recent weeks but might be worth the gamble.  

The 27-year-old has made only eight appearances in all competitions this season, failing to score or make an assist, but he had a hand in 15 goals from 38 games in 2020/21, so there’s no doubting his quality.

Traore has only amassed 21 minutes of Premier League football since January, however, so he might be short of match fitness.

In other news, Steven Gerrard’s optimism can’t hide Aston Villa’s ignominious stats