Aston Villa Ready To Rival Crystal Palace For This Versatile Ligue 1 Attacker: Why Emery Must Make It Happen | OneFootball

If an exclusive update from journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon is believed to be true, Aston Villa have joined the race for Evann Guessand. Crystal Palace are eyeing a move for the Nice attacking ace, should Eberechi Eze depart amid interest from Arsenal, but the Lions are now ready to outbid the Eagles after staying quiet so far this summer.

Born in France, the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international joined Nice’s academy ranks from ASPTT Marseille. He made strides at various youth levels and also impressed for their reserves in the lower leagues of French football. They loaned him out to Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland for first-team minutes, followed by a season with Nantes a year later.

Why Aston Villa Must Bring Him In

Guessand grabbed a regular role from the 2023-24 campaign onwards, and has so far netted 21 times and laid on 15 more in 109 appearances for Les Aiglons in all competitions. With 13 goals and 10 assists in 42 outings, the attacker had his breakthrough season, thus alerting the Premier League clubs upon the completion of the 2024-25 term.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Fiorentina player Luca Ranieri (r) gets to grips with a Nice striker Ewann Guessand during the pre-season friendly match between ACF Fiorentina and OGC Nice at St James’ Park on August 06, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The former France youth international, who switched his allegiance to the Elephants last year, has demonstrated his versatility across the frontline. Franck Haise primarily used him from the right or as a centre-forward; however, he made an impact as a ‘False 9’, second striker, and even from the left as an inverted winger, using his preferred right foot.

Aston Villa were on the verge of being sanctioned for breaching the Premier League’s PSR. But they exploited a loophole by selling their women’s team to a related entity. While they managed to retain their star players, Unai Emery has yet to make a significant signing to bolster the squad.

Other than veteran Marco Bizot, who has been roped in as a ‘number 2’ to replace Robin Olsen, their other summer recruits are teenage trio Zépiqueno Redmond, Yasin Özcan, and Modou Kéba Cissé. Ozcan and Cisse will spend the upcoming season at Anderlecht and LASK, respectively, for regular gametime.

Villa, meanwhile, are sweating over the future of several attacking stars. Jacob Ramsey has emerged as a transfer target for West Ham United, and the ongoing reports linking Ollie Watkins to Manchester United have further unsettled the Villans. Emery used Morgan Rogers as a right midfielder to incorporate Marco Asensio from the middle. But the exciting Englishman is most effective as a ‘number 10’ and should be allowed a free role in their 4-2-3-1 set-up. Guessand’s versatility would boost them up top, but it remains to be seen whether they manage to hijack the deal in due course.