Bertrand Traore ruled out of Aston Villa trip to Arsenal

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has confirmed that Bertrand Traore will miss their Premier League trip to Arsenal on Sunday.

The 25-year-old's first league start since his arrival from Lyon did not go well as he managed 29 minutes of action against Southampton last Sunday before he was forced off with injury.

Traore went down just before the half hour-mark after feeling discomfort around his groin area, and he was subsequently replaced by Egypt’s Mahmoud Trezeguet.

Aston Villa suffered a 4-3 loss in the encounter which was their second consecutive defeat in the Premier League.

Ahead of their trip to the Emirates Stadium, Smith disclosed that the former Chelsea winger will not be back in action until after the international break.

“Bertrand [Traore] came off and he’ll be struggling for Sunday, he won’t make it,” Smith told the club website.

“He’ll definitely be back after the international break.”

Traore has played in five league matches this season, and he also has two appearances in the Carabao Cup with a goal to his name.

The manager also gave updates on goalkeeper Tom Heaton who is recovering from knee ligament tear he suffered last season and forward Wesley.

“Tom [Heaton] is in full training; he needs a few games,” he added.

“He’s got a chance [of playing for the U23s against Burnley], we’re waiting to see if that will go ahead and if it does, I expect him to play.”

On Wesley, he said; “He’s well-liked in the dressing room.

“He had a horrific injury and he’s battling hard to come back from that.”