Calciomercato 23 September 2026 Updated: 9 November 2026

Evann Guessand's future: possible return to Aston

Crystal Palace could send Evann Guessand back to Aston Villa in January following his disappointing performances, raising questions over his footballing future.

Why it matters

The future of Evann Guessand is crucial for both teams involved. Crystal Palace, after a disappointing start to the season, is considering sending the player back to Aston Villa, where he could find a more favorable environment. His underperformance has raised questions about his ability to adapt to Premier League football, calling into question his value to the London club.

Context

25-year-old Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand has returned to Crystal Palace on loan from Aston Villa after a deal that included a buyout clause. However, his poor performances led manager Pierre Sage to leave him out of the squad, raising the possibility of a return to Villa Park as early as January. His experience in the Premier League has been limited so far, with only 56 minutes played and no goals or assists.

Key points

The future of Evann Guessand: possible return to Aston.
Crystal Palace could send Evann Guessand back to Aston Villa in January following his disappointing performances, raising questions about his footballing future.
Aston Villa Loanee Could Return In January: Would They Benefit From This?.

Crystal Palace are considering sending Evann Guessand back to Aston Villa as early as January following a disappointing start to the season under manager Pierre Sage. As reported by Mick Brown on Football Insider, the London club have excluded the player, a 25-year-old Ivorian international, from their selections after some disagreements regarding his performances and his commitment in training.

So far, Guessand has totaled just 56 minutes in the Premier League, all from the bench, without scoring any goals or assists. FBref statistics highlight two appearances, one shot on target and only 13 passes completed from 15 attempts. The situation became even more evident when Sage decided to omit him from the list for the Europa League, sending a clear signal about his position in the team.

Guessand had returned to Crystal Palace in August on a season-long loan, after Aston Villa and Palace reached an agreement which included a buyout clause. However, Guessand's recent performances have not met expectations, and Sage has publicly tested several players, including Dwight McNeil and Jaydee Canvot, who have responded better to the challenges.

The possibility of an early return to Villa Park therefore seems concrete. For Aston Villa, Guessand's return in January may prove of little use. Arriving from Nice in 2025 for around £26 million, the striker had scored two goals in 21 appearances in his first season in England. His time at Palace seemed to offer a chance for revival, as he scored against Wolves and contributed to the club's progress in Europe, but a knee injury limited his involvement.

Palace then gave up their option to buy before agreeing to a new loan. Despite his versatility, being able to play as a central striker or attack from the flanks, Guessand has shown difficulty in producing results. His 86% pass completion rate on 15 attempts this season suggests some play-linking ability, but the sample is too small to draw definitive conclusions.

The main problem remains the lack of output. Guessand didn't score any Premier League goals for Villa last season and has racked up zero goals and assists in 56 minutes this year. Furthermore, according to Capology data reported by FBref, his salary is £75,000 per week, creating an additional financial aspect for Villa. Unai Emery needs strikers capable of meeting his demands consistently. A return in January could offer Guessand another opportunity, but it would not single-handedly solve Villa's attacking problems, who would be dealing with a player who has to rebuild his Premier League reputation from scratch.

What happens now

If Crystal Palace decides to send Guessand back to Aston Villa, it could lead to a re-evaluation of his role in the team. Aston Villa, on the other hand, will have to decide how to handle the player, considering that his performance has not met expectations. Guessand's situation remains uncertain, and the next few weeks will be decisive for his future in Premier League football.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened with Evann Guessand?

Crystal Palace is considering sending Evann Guessand back to Aston Villa in January following a disappointing start to the season.

Who confirmed Guessand's situation?

The situation was reported by Mick Brown on Football Insider.

Why is there now talk of a possible return to Aston Villa?

Guessand's recent performances have not met expectations and his coach, Pierre Sage, has excluded him from the lineup choices.

What changes have there been in Guessand's career?

Guessand returned to Crystal Palace in August on a season-long loan, following an agreement between Aston Villa and Palace.

What is Guessand's current situation in the team?

So far, Guessand has totaled just 56 minutes in the Premier League, without goals or assists, and has been left out of the list for the Europa League.