(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

Sunderland star who 'convinced' Unai Emery can come back to haunt Aston Villa

Alex Charlton
Alex Charlton

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

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Sunderland welcome Aston Villa to the Stadium of Light this Sunday in the Premier League.

Regis Le Bris' side are overwhelming underdogs against Villa, even though the West Midlands club are yet to score a league goal.

If Sunderland beat Villa, then it will be the first time that they have won their opening three home games of a Premier League season.

To claim a famous victory, they may call upon a player who was given significant praise by Unai Emery.

Unai Emery looks ahead with a dark background.
Emery will be searching for his first win of the season (Credit: Imago)

Unai Emery was a big admirer of Bertrand Traore at Aston Villa

Sunderland signed Bertrand Traore on deadline day amid a rush to land attacking players.

Since his arrival, the winger has yet to feature, but was an unused substitute against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

However, he now has the perfect chance to make an impact against his former club, Aston Villa, where he spent three and a half years.

  • Traore made 62 appearances for the West Midlands side
  • He scored 10 goals
  • The winger made seven assists

Despite being loaned out during his stint at Villa Park, Emery was always a believer in his talent.

"I thought he would have been an important player here, but circumstances meant he left on loan last summer," he said via BBC Sport in 2023.

"We were analysing some players to see if they are better than we have, but I am so convinced about his quality and how much he can help us until the end of the season."

Bertrand Traore in Sunderland kit sprinting ferociously.
Traore will be eyeing his debut (Credit: Manh Tung)

Bertrand Traore can be super sub for Sunderland

While the 30-year-old will be itching to land a blow against his former side, he will almost certainly start on the bench.

If Chemsdine Talbi, Simon Adingra, and Enzo Le Fee are all fit, then they will surely be ahead of the winger.

However, if Sunderland are seeking a goal in the second half, then Le Bris will be more than tempted to give Traore a chance.

The Burkina Faso international contributed 16 goal contributions in all competitions last season, including 11 in the Eredivisie.

It is needless to say that players often come back to reap revenge on their former employer as they have extra motivation.

In what could be a very tight game on Wearside, Traore could be Le Bris' ace to bag all three points.

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Bertrand Traore
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