Aston Villa transfer news: Evann Guessand £28.5m deal confirmed, where will Ivorian play under Unai Emery?

Aston Villa have announced that they have completed the signing of Nice attacker Evann Guessand.

With ongoing concerns over the club's position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations, the West Midlands outfit have not been proactive with regards to new senior additions during the summer transfer window.

Only Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot had arrived at the West Midlands outfit, but they have now acquired a second player from Ligue 1.

Guessand signs for Villa for an undisclosed fee, yet reports have indicated that they could eventually end up spending £28.5m on the Ivory Coast international.

While no contract length has been disclosed for the 24-year-old, he is expected to be tied to Villa until either 2029 or 2030.

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Where will Guessand be used at Villa?

Guessand has been described by Villa as 'versatile', an indication that Unai Emery could use him in several positions like he has been deployed throughout his career.

A total of 12 goals and nine assists were contributed in 33 Ligue 1 appearances during 2025-26, the hope being that he will replicate those numbers wherever he plays.

However, 14 of his 21 goal/assist contributions came from the right-wing position last season, with just three being provided from 10 outings as a central-forward.

Although Guessand will be viewed as an alternative to Ollie Watkins down the middle, there is every indication that his best work comes out wide.

As it stands, Leon Bailey and Donyell Malen are viewed as the two options on that side of the pitch, but both players are capable of being used elsewhere.

Furthermore, adding Guessand to the squad realistically gives Emery extra leeway to persist with Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role.

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Where else do Villa need strengthening?

With Axel Disasi having returned to Chelsea and youngster Yasin Ozcan being loaned out to Anderlecht, Villa need at least one new centre-back before the end of the summer transfer window.

Regardless of whether Bailey stays or leaves, there is a strong argument that another playmaker needs to arrive, unless the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Samuel Iling-Junior are staying put.

Much could come down to finances. Villa's current net-spend is around the £30m mark, but they have facilitated a number of loans with some of them possessing options to buy next summer.