When Bertrand Traoré is expected to return to Aston Villa after AFCON

Bertrand Tarore’s AFCON will hope that they continue their giant killing spree in the Africa Cup of Nations when they come up against heavy favourites Senegal at the semi-final stage later today.

The Villa star is the captain of Burkina Faso and they have been the special story of the competition, playing for a country that is going through political chaos and football being used as a tool to unite everyone.

They have being going about their business quietly and when many thought they would crack against Tunisia, they held their breathe and produced a professional performance progress to the last four.

Regardless of what happens against Senegal, the Stallions have earned their place as one of the four teams in Africa and will have a game to play on the final day.

When does Traore return to Aston Villa ?

Given that Burkina Faso are in the semi-final game, Traore and his teammates must still stick around for the third placed game or the final game on Sunday depending on results tonight.

Only after February 6 will the winger be able to catch a flight from Cameroon back to the UK with his expected return likely to be on February 07.

If they make it to the final, there is the likely-hood that his would like to give all players a heroes welcome and that could affect his return date to the midlands.

Say he was to travel to Ouagadougou for the heroes welcome then realistically he could only get back to the UK around the February 10.

That date rules him out of the trip to Newcastle and the most realistic game he could be considered for selection would be the home game against Watford on the 19th.

Traore’s AFCON so far

The Villa man has been going through a difficult tournament but he is still ploughing through, and the expectation are that he will come into life at the crucial stage.

He caused a penalty against Cameroon in the first game of the tournament, then missed a game due to Covid and started the win against Tunisia on the bench, that was later explained as he being not fully fit and just needing time to fully get up to speed.

He has however managed a goal and assist and is said to be playing a key role behind the scene that has brought the team this far.

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