Report: Aston Villa make first major move of summer for Ligue 1 “standout striker” | OneFootball

Aston Villa Move Decisively for Ligue 1 Star

Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign OGC Nice forward Evann Guessand, in a deal worth £26 million plus a further £4.3 million in potential add-ons.

The 24-year-old striker, who was named Player of the Season at Nice after netting 12 goals and helping the club to a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1, is expected to undergo a medical at Bodymoor Heath on Wednesday.

Guessand had drawn interest from several Premier League clubs including Crystal Palace, but Villa acted swiftly to secure the Ivorian international ahead of the competition. The move marks their first major acquisition of the summer window.

Villa Bolster Striking Depth After Key Departures

Unai Emery has made it a priority to strengthen his attacking options after January’s sale of Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. With Ollie Watkins the only established centre-forward available in the squad and Marcus Rashford’s loan spell concluding before his switch to Barcelona, reinforcements were essential.

Guessand, who came through the youth ranks at Nice and signed a fresh four-year deal in the summer of 2024, now arrives as a ready-made solution to Villa’s forward line needs.

His profile fits Villa’s strategy of investing in players with both immediate impact and long-term potential. At 6ft 2in, Guessand combines physical presence with mobility, and his performance metrics last season suggest a forward approaching the peak of his powers.

Transfer Window Begins to Take Shape at Villa Park

Guessand becomes Villa’s third arrival of the summer, following the signing of Turkish teenager Yasin Özcan from Kasimpasa — immediately loaned to Anderlecht — and experienced Dutch goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Brest.

While the previous two signings offered depth and future promise, Guessand is seen as the marquee signing that will lead the line alongside or in rotation with Watkins.

Villa’s decision to move early in the window underscores the club’s ambition to build on last season’s success and maintain competitiveness across domestic and European fronts.

International Credentials Add to Guessand’s Profile

Having made his senior debut for the Ivory Coast in June 2024, Guessand has since earned nine international caps. His emergence on the international stage adds further credibility to Villa’s investment, particularly given the growing competitiveness of African talent on the European stage.

The move to the Premier League presents the next major step in Guessand’s career. Sources close to the deal suggest Villa were impressed not just by his scoring record, but also his character and tactical versatility — qualities which align with Emery’s evolving system.

The club now looks set to integrate Guessand into pre-season training immediately, with plans to include him in their opening Premier League fixture. Subject to a successful medical, the deal is expected to be completed within days.

Evann Guessand Scouting Breakdown: Radar Analysis of Villa’s New Forward

Attacking Output Signals Real Threat

Evann Guessand’s radar profile paints the picture of a forward with serious attacking instincts. Ranked in the 84th percentile for non-penalty goals and 82nd for non-penalty expected goals (npxG), the Ivorian has shown himself to be a consistent goal threat over the past 12 months. He’s also in the 71st percentile for expected assisted goals (xAG), suggesting an ability to bring teammates into play, despite not being a traditional creator. His combined xG + xAG sits at a strong 72 percentile — confirmation that his contributions are both frequent and high quality.

While his assist numbers are respectable (43rd percentile), it’s his goal-scoring and finishing instincts that stand out most clearly. For a forward operating in a team like Nice, that’s an encouraging sign for what he might deliver in an Aston Villa shirt with better service behind him.

Possession Data Reflects Limited Build-Up Role

Guessand’s possession metrics are noticeably less influential. His percentile ranks for passes attempted (25), pass completion (23), progressive passes (2), and shot-creating actions (29) suggest he’s not heavily involved in dictating or building play. Even progressive carries (40th percentile) and successful take-ons (70) reflect a player who perhaps functions more as a final-third presence than a midfield link.

This could align with how Villa might use him: less as a creative 10 or a roaming wide forward, and more as a penalty-box striker or direct outlet on the shoulder of the last defender. His low progressive passing and carry numbers indicate he’s less likely to be used in a deeper, false nine role.

Defensive Contributions Are Surprisingly Strong

For an attacking player, Guessand’s defensive metrics are unusually high. He sits in the 79th percentile for tackles and interceptions combined, 72nd for aerials won, and 66th for blocks — numbers that suggest a strong work ethic and willingness to press or track back. His ability to disrupt opposition build-up play could make him a valuable asset in Unai Emery’s structured pressing system.

Given the intensity required in Premier League forward play, these statistics bode well. Few attackers consistently deliver on both ends of the pitch, but Guessand’s numbers indicate he could be trusted to execute off-the-ball duties with the same intensity as his goalscoring.

Conclusion

Evann Guessand isn’t a flair player or a deep-lying creator — but what Aston Villa have signed is a direct, aggressive forward who scores goals, wins physical battles, and contributes defensively. The radar backs up the transfer fee — and gives Emery a flexible striker capable of thriving in English football.