Steven Gerrard tipped to make £17m Aston Villa transfer decision in the summer

Gabby Agbonlahor has indicated that Bertrand Traore could be part of the Aston Villa overhaul this coming summer as Steven Gerrard prepares to continue his recruitment drive.

Gerrard and sporting director Johan Lange were busy in January; they managed to secure permanent deals for Lucas Digne and Calum Chambers, while Philippe Coutinho also arrived on loan. Robin Olsen was also brought in as goalkeeper cover.

It wasn’t just incomings, either; Anwar El Ghazi was let out to Everton, Trezeguet joined Istanbul Basaksehir and a number of young players - including Cameron Archer, Keinan Davis and Jaden Philogene-Bidace - secured decent loan spells.

Gerrard’s first summer in charge of Villa is likely to be met with more difficult decisions and calls to make on existing members of the squad as he plans more ambitious signings.

One such player is Traore, who has really struggled with injury this season. Then AFCON came around, and that made him unavailable to Villa for a number of weeks as Burkina Faso progressed to the semi-finals.

With Coutinho, Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia and the exciting crop of youngsters at the club too, Agbonlahor can see Traore’s days being numbered.

“I do like Traore, he’s had some decent games, but he can be inconsistent like Trezeguet, like El Ghazi and Steven Gerrard will not want that,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

“He will want those players who can help him push into Europe. Fighting for that top six is harder than it has ever been with the teams fighting for it.

“Steven Gerrard will know he needs every player right at it with no inconsistency. So certain players will be moved on.”