During Aston Villa’s loss to Brentford over the weekend, several key components seemed to be missing from manager Unai Emery’s squad. Although Villa was able to dominate possession for the entire match, the Claret and Blue’s offense sputtered in the final third of the pitch, leaving a clear need for additional attacking talent on the outside.
In previous iterations of the Villa side, speedy wingers such as Leon Bailey or Moussa Diaby were able to stretch the opposing defense out wide and create alleys for striker Ollie Watkins to make runs into. This year, however, Emery has been forced to utilize players such as John McGinn out wide (starting right winger against Brentford), and Villa has not enjoyed the same attacking threat so far.
Producing zero goals through two English Premier League matches, Villa could use an immediate injection of creativity and pace on both the left and right wings. Fortunately, those qualities may already exist on the Villa bench.
Guessand grows into attacking role
After arriving recently from OGC Nice, Evann Guessand has showcased his ability to create with both feet in his albeit short cameos for Villa. Guessand logged Ligue 1 goal contributions for Nice last season, and he looks to be comfortable with the ball at his feet and attacking defenders directly. These qualities could pay off in spades down the road for Villa.
Without Jacob Ramsey occupying the left wing anymore, Guessand could slot in comfortably to that role given the right-footers tendency to use either foot to create space. Throughout his career, Guessand has played across the attacking midfield and all the way up top at striker, so the Ivorian international has the experience and creativity that could lend itself well to Emery’s future plans.
Is it time for Malen to claim his spot?
If Guessand does grow into a regular starter on the left wing, Villa will still need to find an answer along the right side with Bailey’s loan to AS Roma. In that case, Donyell Malen is deserving of some run along the right side.
Though yet to seize regular minutes in the Prem, Malen played a healthy amount during the pre-season for Aston Villa and stood as one of the club’s top goal creators during that time. Malen, much like Guessand, can play across the attacking midfield and do a job up top at striker if need be, so he has the attacking acumen needed to turn around Villa’s slow offensive output to begin the 2025-26 EPL campaign.
Both Guessand and Malen will have another opportunity to cement their position in Villa’s squad on Sunday, August 31, when Crystal Palace travels to Villa Park.