Aston Villa fans react as ‘best outcome’ in Evann Guessand’s Crystal Palace loan begins to unfold
Evan Guessand’s time at Aston Villa ended before it could properly even begin.
The Ivorian arrived in the summer after an excellent season for French outfit OGC Nice, where he scored 12 goals and assisted seven in 33 Ligue 1 appearances.
However, it was not to be for the 24-year-old at Villa Park, as he could never quite earn the trust of Unai Emery.
Instead of letting the attacker waste away on the bench, the B6 outfit wasted no time to try and cut their losses.
In the winter window, Guessand moved to Crystal Palace on loan, where the Eagles now have an option to buy at the end of the season for around £28million.
Villa, who paid around £26m for the Ivorian, would be delighted to recoup their cash, and Villa fans believe they may be on track to do so.
Aston Villa fans react to Evan Guessand’s first Premier League goal
Guessand failed to score in Premier League action for Aston Villa, but it did not take him long to get off the mark for the Eagles.
In just his third game for the London club, the African forward got himself on the scoresheet to hand Palace a late win against Wolves.
While many may bemoan the fact he did not produce a finish for Villa, the opposite appears to be true.
One Aston Villa fan took to X to express Guessand’s goal was beneficial to the Birmingham-based club, stating: “Best outcome. We get a decent fee.”
Others followed suit in a similar fashion.
Another supporter stated via X: “I think the vast majority of Villa fans are ecstatic that we’re going to get the same money back and not be lumbered with a player who didn’t look right with us. Good luck to him at his new club. Hopefully no negative PSR, and we try again to get a long-term RM.”
Meanwhile, a few are already thinking about the prospect of him being sold permanently in the summer.
Overall, it seems like Guessand’s loan to Palace is working out for everyone involved, and now the hope from supporters is that the Ivorian continues to perform.
If the 24-year-old keeps scoring for the Eagles, they may very well trigger that option to buy.
- Read more: Crystal Palace have already been tipped by an expert to trigger Guessand’s option – find out why
Aston Villa must be smarter next summer
Aston Villa’s summer was quite poor looking back on it. The signing of Guessand did not work out; Harvey Elliott has been left to the side after the B6 outfit decided they did not want him to stick around.
Additionally, Leon Bailey was allowed to leave on loan before the Jamaican was ultimately brought back by a recall option.
Villa, who are often limited by the financial rules placed around them, must work smarter.
They may have got lucky in this instance where they can ship Guessand off with no repercussions, but that may not always be the case.
Fans will be eagerly awaiting who Emery brings in next, as it looks like Villa will be playing in the Champions League the following season.
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