Bertrand Traore’s stunning volley helped Aston Villa seal a convincing 3-0 victory over Bristol City and safe passage into Carabao Cup Round Four.
The new signing enjoyed a debut to remember as he coolly sent a sublime side-footed volley into the top corner, moments after Anwar El Ghazi had swept Villa into an 11th-minute lead from close range.
Substitute Ollie Watkins added a third in the 73rd minute, shortly after his introduction, to put the seal on a commanding display at Ashton Gate from the visitors, who now go on to face Stoke City in the next round of the competition.
It caps an impressive start to the season for Dean Smith’s side having won their opening three matches in all competitions.
The Villa head coach made 11 changes from the starting line-up who triumphed over Sheffield United in the club’s opening Premier League fixture of the campaign on Monday.
Keinan Davis and El Ghazi both tested Robins goalkeeper Max O’Leary in quick succession in the early stages, but Villa, wearing their newly-launched third kit, soon surged into a two-goal lead.
The impressive Davis produced an excellent jinking run on the right side of the penalty area and pulled the ball back for El Ghazi to sweep home low from six yards.
And Villa doubled their lead in stunning style three minutes later as teenager Jacob Ramsey’s cross-field pass found Traore inside the box and he effortlessly sent a sweet side-footed volley into the far top corner.
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Jed Steer parried from Antoine Semenyo before Famara Diedhiou headed wide from close range for the hosts, while, at the other end, Ramsey saw penalty appeals waved away and Davis was denied by O’Leary as the visitors led at the break.
El Ghazi fired off target in the 57th minute having been sent clear by a lovely throughball from Traore.
The lively Dutchman was denied by O’Leary before Villa made it 3-0, Watkins converting a cross from fellow sub Trezeguet within three minutes of their introduction.
Watkins was twice thwarted by O’Leary as he looked to add to his tally but Villa triumphed, securing the clean sheet their display display, and in the process seeing off an in-form City side who had won all four of their opening fixtures.
Villa: Steer, Guilbert, Elmohamady (c), Hause, Taylor, Lansbury (Hourihane 78), Nakamba, J Ramsey, Traore (Trezeguet 70), Davis (Watkins 70), El Ghazi.
Subs: Kalinic, Targett, Mings, McGinn.
