Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Mon 1 June 2026 20:00, UK

Crystal Palace are lining up Pierre Sage as their new manager, which could have a big say on the future of Aston Villa man Evann Guessand.

Following their UEFA Conference League victory last Wednesday, Oliver Glasner departs the South London club after lifting three trophies with the Eagles.

Making the move in 2024, Glasner has done an incredible job at Selhurst Park, with the opportunity handed to the incoming manager to continue the progression.

RC Lens boss Sage is reportedly in line to take the Palace job ahead of the summer, after finishing second in Ligue 1, just six points behind Paris Saint-Germain.

With the appointment in mind, the future of wideman Guessand could well be set in stone ahead of next season.

Stars align for Evann Guessand to make Crystal Palace move

The 2025-26 campaign turned out to be a huge waste for Guessand, who made the switch to Villa Park last summer after a sensational time in Ligue 1 with Nice.

Systematic issues restricted the Ivorian forward under Unai Emery, with the versatile attacker operating in a role completely different from the freedom he enjoyed in the south of France.

Registering just one goal contribution in claret and blue, the Ivorian would join Palace on loan in January, where he would score twice and lay on one assist in 14 appearances across all competitions, with 663 minutes under his belt.

With his best role being one of the wide positions in a 3-4-3, Guessand could well be the perfect fit for Palace once again, with Sage likely to carry this over from Glasner, having utilised the system to great success at Lens.

Alongside this, he will know Guessand from his time in Ligue 1, and will be looking at him as a potential difference maker next term, as was the case with his previous club, Nice.

After a dismal time at Villa Park, the Villans could be set to lose Guessand permanently this summer – erasing what was a pretty poor transfer window in the summer of 2025.

Aston Villa cannot afford another transfer howler

In past transfer periods, Villa have hardly covered themselves in glory, with the previous summer window leaving Emery somewhat hamstrung, prompting the September departure of Monchi. 

Emery’s squad remains largely the same as the one he inherited in 2022 and is in desperate need of a refresh if he is to continue consistent Champions League football.

A return to Europe’s premier competition is a huge statement, but the Villans must avoid similar signings to those like Guessand, who simply did not fit the system under Emery.

This has been the case for several years now, with multiple signings across recent years failing to hit the ground running.

And for a club aiming to fight for silverware consistently, this simply cannot keep happening.

With a solid core already in place, the next step is to bring in players who can help lay the foundations for the next generation at Villa Park.