Aston Villa right-back Frederic Guilbert is on the verge of joining French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on loan, according to Gregg Evans of The Athletic. Guilbert joined Villa in January 2019, and was a key member of the side that achieved survival in their first season back in the Premier League. Guilbert spent the second half of last season on loan at Strasbourg, and is now expected to link up with the French club again.
Frederic Guilbert on the Verge of Joining Strasbourg on Loan
Guilbert Close to Leaving Aston Villa
Guilbert joined Aston Villa in January 2019, although remained at Caen for the remainder of the season. He linked up with his new side at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, following their promotion back to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
Guilbert made 25 appearances for Villa in the league that season, as they eventually stayed up by just a point. Unfortunately for Guilbert, Dean Smith decided an upgrade was in order, as he bought Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest for around £16 million.
Cash immediately became the favoured choice under Dean Smith. Frederic Guilbert fell down the pecking order, failing to make a single Premier League appearance in the first half of the season. On deadline day of the January transfer window, Guilbert joined Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season.
He featured 14 times in all competitions for Strasbourg last season. As with Villa the previous season, he helped them retain a place in Ligue 1, just one point ahead of their relegation play-off place.
Despite returning to Villa Park ahead of the new season, and scoring in their 6-0 League Cup win over Barrow, Guilbert looks close to returning to Strasbourg on loan once again. With new signings Ashley Young and Axel Tuanzebe able to fill in at right-back, he is no longer a part of Dean Smith’s plans.
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